Texas death row inmate William Speer, who was scheduled to receive a lethal injection on October 26, had his execution halted by Texas’ top criminal appeals court. Speer, 49, had been sentenced to death for the murder of another prisoner over 26 years ago. The decision to stay the execution shocked Speer, who had mentally prepared himself for his impending death. In an interview with FOX 26 Houston, Speer expressed his awe and belief that he would be waking up to the sound of the trumpet and the presence of God.
Speer was convicted of strangling Gary Dickerson to death in July 1997 at the Telford state prison in northeast Texas. Prosecutors claimed that Speer committed the crime in an effort to join the Texas Mafia prison gang, which believed Dickerson had informed authorities about contraband tobacco. Prior to Dickerson’s murder, Speer had already been serving a life sentence for fatally shooting a friend’s father when he was 16 years old.
The decision to halt Speer’s execution came after his attorneys argued that prosecutors in his 2001 trial had failed to present evidence about his troubled childhood. Just hours before the scheduled execution, the appeals court granted the stay order, stating that further review was necessary. This order cannot be appealed to federal courts as it is a state law issue.
Speer’s lawyers expressed relief and gratitude that their client would have another chance at life. They highlighted his transformation during his time in prison, where he had become a minister and worked towards spreading hope and healing among fellow inmates. They also acknowledged the support and advocacy from faith leaders and the victims’ survivors, who believed that Speer’s life was worth saving.
Tragically, Sammie Martin, the only living sibling of Gary Dickerson, unexpectedly passed away the day following Speer’s stayed execution. Martin had spoken to Speer on the phone just a week before her death and had expressed her support for the last-minute stay.
Speer himself believes that his life was saved by God and sees his experience as a testament to the power of transformation and redemption. He has been chosen by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as the first inmate coordinator for a faith-based program offered to men on death row.
The decision to halt the execution of William Speer has generated significant attention and sparked discussions about the death penalty and the possibility of redemption. While some argue that justice was not fully served, others view Speer’s story as a powerful example of personal growth and the potential for change.
