Judge Could Issue Stay Of Execution For Convicted Killer
By Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The execution of a Philadelphia man could be stopped.
Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina listened to arguments Thursday concerning the death sentence of 46-year-old Terrance Williams.
Williams' attorneys say was the motive behind the 1984 murder of 56-year-old Amos Norwood of Mt. Airy was a sexual relationship between two men.
Terrance Williams was sentenced to death for that crime.
His accomplice Marc Draper, who was sentenced to life without parole, is now saying that police and the prosecutor's office, pressured him into saying the motive was robbery.
Draper claims he lied because the prosecution offered him a lesser charge and agreed to help him get parole.
Andrea Foulkes, who was the prosecutor on the case 28 years ago, testified that she never promised Draper she would help him get parole. She also said repeatedly, in court, that no one told Draper he had to stick to the story of robbery.
The hearing lasted around eight hours, with Draper taking the stand late in the afternoon. It will reconvene Monday starting with testimony of Marc Draper.
If Judge Teresa Sarmina finds that evidence was suppressed, she could issue a Stay of Execution and Terrance Williams would not be executed on October 3rd, as scheduled. Williams' attorneys say the stay means Williams' life would be spared for now, not necessarily for good.
