Texas Execution Information Center

Execution Report: Jeffrey L. Williams

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Williams' first felony conviction was for auto theft in April 1989, at age 17. He was placed on probation, ordered to pay a $400 fine, and sentenced to 30 days in jail. Within days of getting out of jail, Williams stole another car and shot at a man who tried to chase him. He was convicted of auto theft and aggravated assault in June 1989 and received a 7-year sentence. He served four months and was paroled in January 1990. In July 1990, he returned to prison with a 10-year sentence for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He served nine months of that sentence and was paroled in April 1991. In August 1991, he returned to prison with a 25-year sentence for auto theft. He served 2½ years of that sentence and was paroled in March 1994. (At the time, early parole was common in Texas due to strict prison population caps imposed by U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice.)

Jackson testified against Williams at his capital murder trial. The defense testified that Williams was a victim of physical and sexual abuse as a child. A jury convicted him in May 1995 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in December 1996. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," Williams said from the death chamber. After he finished reciting the 23rd Psalm in its entirety, the lethal injection was started. Williams then said, "I thank you Lord for all the good things you have given me. Bless my family." He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

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By David Carson. Posted on 27 June 2002.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.

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