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Friday, May 03, 2013

Today Gov Scott signed William's death warrant for a date of June 12th

Dear Readers:

Today Gov Scott signed William's death warrant with an execution date of June 12th.  Please see the Petition to the right of this post to sign it.  We are working on many avenues and his attorneys are filing briefs for a stay of execution. Anything you can do to get the word out is greatly appreciated, as are your prayers.  We are not giving up hope that Bill's sentence can be commuted to a life sentence. 

Thank you very much.

Bill's sister, Lisa Van Poyck

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

With our justice system being so flawed, I don't support the death penalty at all. It pains me to think of the people who haven't been able to prove their innocence, as the 24 exonorees were able to, before they were executed. I can't believe that a state (FL), that has the highest rate of exonerations, is now trying to speed up executions with The Timely Justice Act currently waiting for Gov. Scott's approval, or Veto as I am hoping for. I am a member of FADP (Floridians for alternatives to the death penalty) and have sent an email to Gov. Scott asking him to exercise his right to Veto The Timely Justice Act. I have also signed the petition requesting his veto. I sincerely wish that there was more that I could do to help Billy and others on death row. My prayers are with you all. God bless.

Paul Hurt said...

This is shattering news. I've no illusions about the Governor and the shameful death penalty system he presides over but the suddenness of this is hard to take in. I've been reading Bill's blog for a very long time and admire so much his insights and the quality of his writing. I'm an anti-death penalty campaigner based in England and I've written to governors, boards of pardon and parole, penitentiary wardens and others many, many times over the years. This governor isn't receptive to pleas for mercy from inside the United States, it seems, let alone pleas from Europe, but I very much hope that the legal remedies which are still available will be successful and that the life of this remarkable man will be spared.

His sister is a remarkable woman - her work on his behalf is very much appreciated.

With warmest good wishes,
Paul Hurt

A Friend said...

Working with Bill and getting to know him over the past year has been a life-changing experience for me. He is an amazing writer and his work has an deep impact on readers. I wish Bill and his family strength during this challenging time. My thoughts are with you!

Anonymous said...

Dear Lisa - petition diesn't come up on mobile site

D Ruelas said...

Dear Lisa:
I was truly saddened by this news. I know the huge support you have been for your brother, and the great love you have for him. I will be praying for you and for Bill, as well as for the Florida authorities that have made this terrible decision of speeding up executions, instead of doing away with the death penalty! God bless you both.

Anonymous said...

Hoping for a miracle! and praying!

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how his warrant was signed just like that! I'm really worried for Bill. May God carry you through this period of devastation. May your lawyers do what needs doing with success. Trust in God!

Anonymous said...

Devastated, Devastated, Devastated!

Helen said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Lisa and your family as well as Bill. Families are often forgotten at a time like this.

Anonymous said...

I pray for the family of Fred Griffis....may god be with us all.

RedR24256 said...

Thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless you and keep you as you move through this most difficult time.

Unknown said...

I pray for Fred Griffis' family, too, but they are not the only victims--Bill's family and friends are victims, too. The fact that we have this law where we are held accountable for the actions of others is outrageous. We are brought up to take responsibility for our actions, the rugged individualist--the backbone of American society. Mr. Griffis died a sudden, untimely death, but Bill has been staring his executioner in the face for 25 years. Is that really an American legacy we want to leave to our children? We have to stop killing before killing will stop.

Alan said...

Paul it's true Lisa is a remarkable woman. I am so glad that she is once again consented to be my wife for the second time in this life. We are doing everything we can think of to sa've Billy's life and perhaps even get him free.

NR said...

Lisainthesky, a question: does your brother have some sort of belief system support in prison; I ask because as a Buddhist I have done some meditation work in prison, and if he he wants to investigate that path, I can put some people in touch possibly.

By the way, your brother's guilt or innocence is not an issue for me; I am absolutist to ending a life unless it is required to save a life. I am a former journalist from Florida and New York (now living in Seattle), whose opposition to capital punishment was hardened by witnessing one in Starke in 1984.

If there is anything else I can do, let me know.

Nick Ravo

clara said...

This is such a sad day. My thoughts and prayers are with BILL,LISA and all touched by this
______________clara from italy

Unknown said...

joe from the uk. my heart is with you at this difficult time. lisa you are an amazing woman..i dont know much about us laws but i know putting an innocent man to death creates resentment form thousands of people. been locked up for 20 or 30 years is enough punishment..william and lisa you are in my thoughts 24/7...x