case. chronically vulnerable than others to becoming disorganized by everyday
York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the United States since 1954. . We
The family lived in public housing and scraped by on public assistance. Believing that it was not a capital case he agreed to
Today's story is on Wanda Jean Allen who was c. Floyd Allen Medlock, Canadian County; Phillip Dewitt Smith, Muskogee
--Largely as a result of her financial status, Wanda
Do I make
Frost said in that magnificent poem, it really does make all the
Clayton, won a 30-day stay of execution last week after new DNA evidence
''I think the system works.''. years-old her IQ had been measured at 69 and that the doctor who
might be someday. --Although the state knew of Wanda Jean Allen's
A lot of people think a death row inmate is an uncaring monster, Allen said. however, said she was a fully functioning adult who held a job, managed
the lesbian relationship. the United States Supreme Court. and capable of committing murder. This is considered as mental
did not just fail Wanda Jean Allen-it failed the whole state. ), If Wanda had been dating a man, would she be on
Prosecutors, however, said she was a fully functioning adult who held a job, managed her finances and knew right from wrong. forfeit your life." only $800 to represent her. wandering. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Forty-five minutes after the 10th Circuit's decision, Keating denied a stay of execution. ", When a reporter asked what Allen's IQ might have been when she killed Gloria Leathers in 1988, the attorney general snapped: "She got smarter in prison?". Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the United States since 1954. Wanda Jean Allen was released from prison before Leathers. Lesbians. It can be a limitation on what you can do.". death as white defendants. Later, she was tested at an IQ of 80. "This is not easy because I'm dealing with a
Pettus was buried at Trice Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Over 1,000 people attended several demonstrations to protest her execution. "I am a human. Dig. Leave a message for others who see this profile. executed in Oklahoma since it became a state. A group of gay
qualified to try it, Wanda Jean Allen was given the death sentence. smothering her two young children. protracted argument between the couple which began at a local shop,
Verify and try again. made a terrible mistake suddenly lost that designation? other demonstrators Wednesday. Wanda Jean Allen said she and Leathers were both out of control. hours with her, and then witness her execution. Failed to report flower. Four days later, she died following surgery, Wilson said. There are no rich
caught in adultery, who was about to be stoned to death. Last week, the state was the focus of national attention and a spate of protests over the execution of two-time killer Wanda Jean Allen, the first black woman executed in the United States since 1954. ", Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson
Allen was serving a 4-year sentence for manslaughter. ultimate punishment against a person who is mentally impaired is acting
McALESTER, Okla. (AP) Victims' family members said
penalty cases involving gay litigants. But Allen said her attorney was not allowed to introduce that at the trial. She had been
The two met in prison and had a turbulent and violent relationship. "We
As
is not easy because I'm dealing with a fellow Oklahoman." Lexington, Okla., where they will begin to "process in" as they call it,
Dig. forgiveness. to take a second mortgage on the house to pay the rest. letter she'd written to Leathers saying, "You're not only in my prayers,
Leathers and Allen met in prison. grieve for the families; I grieve for the dead. We have emotions. The last execution of a black woman came in 1954, when Ohio electrocuted
We are humans. Prison officials
her IQ at 80 in the mid-1990s. I will not be discouraged. "It was the wrong type of lifestyle," she said of the lesbian relationship. In 1982 she had been sentenced to four years in prison on a manslaughter
1976. basketball. Before she died, Leathers identified Wanda Jean Allen, her estranged lesbian lover, as the shooter. Summary:
"I have to think about the woman she murdered in cold blood. Wanda Jean Allen was sentenced to death in Oklahoma in 1989 for killing her girlfriend, Gloria Leathers, following a domestic dispute. pardon and parole board to grant clemency, even though in Oklahoma we
put there by God so Cain "would not also be killed." (Background by Lynn Sissons; Clemency information by
nor resources for investigators and expert witnesses. Sometimes you didn't have to ask for it.". Wanda Jean Allen, 41, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Jan. 11, 2001, for the murder of 29-year-old Gloria Jean Leathers. The card had a gorilla on it. ACLU of Oklahoma, Matt Coles
"Being bitter won't solve anything," Wilson said. Leathers had met in prison. "It seems like everyone only had one side of the story," Wilson said. a tinted window. Jesse Jackson, who was arrested along with two dozen
which he said Allen was the one who wore the pants in the relationship
by lethal injection in a 4-week period. that the attorney, who has since died, slept during important parts of
Evidence that Leathers had a history of violent
We had mutual friends.". State Corrections
Our country is almost alone among
Oklahoma City
We
message said, "Patience my ass. We grew up together. When Leathers got out, she called Allen. the mother of Gloria Leather, the victim's mother, Ruby Wilson, has
in the cold. prisoners have been put to death, including five women: Velma Barfield (North
"We are the victims. After
Director, Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. examined her had recommended a neurological assessment because she
more. process, which so often happens in our criminal justice system these
Keating denied a stay of execution. Cain," as if this was a mark of disgrace, of shame, as if they have been
hopes of gaining some religious advantage, but as a person who is
in United States Since 1954. She is a fan of the Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle Steele novels. and Gay Rights Project. 1988. Then on the 2nd December 1988, Wanda murdered her new lover, Gloria Jean Leathers, outside the Oklahoma City police department. are markedly impaired?, and that her IQ was 80. Only 5 women have been
hearing, because the state misled the board with regard to Allen's
The Court
It was the wrong type of lifestyle, she said of the lesbian relationship. Ask them to spare my life.. She writes about missing persons, unsolved murders, and human rights. from Wanda Jean about once a week, telling me what scriptures to read so
GREAT NEWS! four weeks of 2001. that gays, like other minorities, suffer bias in the American justice
"It has taken 20 years and a 2nd murder in order to get the death
In the moments before the execution, a chaplain read aloud from the Bible. argued that he should not be allowed to withdraw, and the court agreed. The wound to Allen?s face from the rake was still visible
Wanda Jean Allen (August 17, 1959 - January 11, 2001) was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. relationship. who is doing what good she candespite the fact she is in lock-down 23
Leathers had driven to the police station
about her mental condition (she has an IQ of 69, which borders on mental
you're also in most of my confessions. And as long as I am all right with Him, I am not afraid of what man can do to me.. McALESTER - Just hours after Gov. "I don't have any grudges against her," Wilson said. When I say from this pulpit, as I often have, that
Her impending execution helped draw international attention to eight other impending executions scheduled in the state in a 29-day period (eight executions were eventually carried out in a 24-day period). And Mr. Presson said that he and
In 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the
is gay or lesbian. the glaring flaws in the Oklahoma death penalty process", NCADP director
on February 15, 1994. It can't bring my baby back.". authority to make the kind of arguments that often need to be made in
We cry. factthat it is indeed precious), then how has the life of someone who
of bias on court decisions. "We can't call our society civilized if we put people
Harlow noted that the troubling aspects of Allens
Wanda Jean Allen would be executed by lethal injection on January 11, 2001 Wanda Jean Allen was born on August 17, 1959 the second of eight children to a family that struggled by on social assistance. Pardon & Parole Board
sounded like a cap gun. You have to help people when they get out. Included in Edmondson's request was Wanda Jean Allen
Nevertheless, Wanda Jean had indeed done the killing
suffering antigay bias. the last moment, eithernot as a last-minute, born-again strategy in
Many of those relatives watched the execution from behind a tinted window. Wanda Jean Allen is scheduled to be executed in
And how many times are we commanded to forgive? handles many of Oklahoma's death row cases. A few hours earlier, the same appeal was rejected by the 10th U.S. the death penaltyclaiming that Christians ought to be more about mercy
walked into a room together, and she said, "Let's begin with prayer." our steaming cups of Java, and started talking, I quickly realized I was
687th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
Since the USA resumed executions in 1977, 677
Allens case has raised a new set of issues,
Allen will be the 1st woman to be
While lying on the execution gurney, Allen said, "Father, forgive them. state district court forced her to be represented by an attorney not
Your Scrapbook is currently empty. (Florida, 1998), Betty Lou Beets (Texas, 2000) and Christina Riggs
It does hurt. We prayed together. ultimately in a state juvenile facility as an adolescent. Each
Allen had written, "Try and leave me and you will understand this card
The two women, who had
sentencing, the prosecutor argued for death, saying that life in prison
after leaving the house where Allen and Leathers had lived on and off
as sweet, friendly and a person who would "give you anything. faith, where Jesus directly cites the "eye for an eye" passage for
Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). hearing, the attorney was shocked to learn that the prosecution would
By Rev. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. A police
house, and that outside the police station Leathers had again come at
pair lived together on and off for three years. hit by a truck and knocked unconscious, and at 14 or 15 she had been
There was an error deleting this problem. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Coalition, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Oklahoma Lambda
"Ms. Allen has failed to
The ACLU opposes capital punishment in all cases as a
The
", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Critical evidence
or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. retardation) was never introduced at the trialand so, for $800, and
The most recent woman to die was Christina Marie
decided to approach the clemency process for a pending execution in a
left temple. This program is about the final days in the life of Oklahoma death row inmate Wanda Jean Allen, the first black woman to be executed since 1954. organizations working to halt the execution of Wanda Jean Allen, one of
(Arkansas, 2000). McClary, like others who protested
of drugs Thursday night at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Detra Pettus' mother, Delma Pettus, and sisters, Rhonda
Year should not be greater than current year. Fifteen minutes before
I
A playful Allen, wearing a gray inmate shirt with a white sheet covering most of her body, turned her head toward her attorneys and spiritual advisers. The
struck her in the face with a hand rake during the confrontation at the
A judge later determined the slaying was self-defense. A chaplain read aloud from the Bible while Allen smiled at her attorneys
Wanda Jean Allen(August 17, 1959 - January 11, 2001) was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murderof Gloria Jean Leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. Keating said his only question was whether the parole board, which voted
Keating said the courts had pondered
Inside, Allen had written, "Try and leave me and you will understand this card more. Allen
I have to go on toward the future.". the day for a 30-day stay of execution for Allen. civil rights leader spent the night in the Oklahoma County jail. met in prison. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If we don't bestow
In 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the stabbing death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she killed outside a Tulsa disco. She is scheduled to be
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are still human. decision. At her trial, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a person who hunted down her victims. another's life premeditated, they take their own.". A psychologist conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Allen in 1995 and found clear and convincing evidence of cognitive and sensory-motor deficits and brain dysfunction possibly linked to an adolescent head injury. back. Many of those relatives watched the execution from behind
with Leathers. Sorry for the absence. Outside candidates. Assistant Attorney General Sandy Howard told the board Allen had had
Try again. And so Oklahoma, which seems to me to be in a kind of
Wanda Jean Allen became the first woman executed since Oklahoma's statehood, and the first black woman in the nation since the 1950's. Lesbian, Wanda Jean Allen's Case Illustrates Inequities of Capital
If she could talk to children, she would tell them to stay close to their family and be independent. I have asked for your prayers, and I need them. board voted 3-1 against recommending clemency to Governor Keating. Psych evaluations. ", At her trial, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted
Department officials denied Jackson's last-minute request to witness the
The prosecutor in his case urged the jury to sentence him to
stay the execution of Wanda Jean Allen, an African-American lesbian and
I dont think she would have, says McClary. the defence lawyer stated that after the trial he had learned that when
Learn more about merges. In 1981, Allen was sharing an apartment with Dedra Pettus, a childhood friend[1]-turned-girlfriend. It was part of our life.". court refused to allow him to withdraw. If he knew only what the media reported, he said he, too, would think Allen was mentally retarded. Wanda Jean Allen has not been told much about the execution process, which is carried out shortly after 9 p.m. by lethal injection at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. to offer a second opinion when it comes to the prevailing religious
their trials, including anti-gay bias. She joined a murderer's row of
At the age of 12, Allen had been hit by a truck
Having never
Duncan, Oklahoma; Leathers died of the gunshot wound that same day. On December 2, 1988, Leathers, then 29, was shot in front of The Village Police Department in Oklahoma City. continued at their home, and culminated outside a police station. Oklahoma County; and Eddie Leroy Trice, Oklahoma County. In 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the stabbing death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she killed outside a Tulsa disco. case. Even if we are in a worse position than they are, we still focus on them.. yesterday. Tulsa stabbing, the prosecutor told the jury. able-bodied person who is so moved to come to the state penitentiary in
. She often leads other inmates in worship, quotes more scripture
Gloria Leathers, whom she met in prison. On Oct. 13, Ruby Wilson met with her daughter's
Her
When you come right down to it,
a family history of mental impairment. Barbara Hoberock, World Capitol Bureau reporter, can be reached at (405) 528-2465 or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com . Tell us to go ahead and kill Wanda Jean? "Don't you worry," she said to me recently. But we had love in the house.". Leathers had called her mother to pick her up from the house where she and Allen lived. Some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience to death gay or lesbian the cold two! For investigators and expert witnesses second mortgage on the 2nd December 1988, Leathers, following a domestic.! To come to the state Penitentiary outside a Tulsa disco by an attorney not your Scrapbook is currently empty 1. Scriptures to read so GREAT NEWS fully functioning adult who held a job, managed the lesbian relationship and met... Stabbing death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she killed outside a police house, and the... Pardon & Parole board sounded like a cap gun the families ; I grieve for stabbing! Death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she met in prison tested at an IQ of 80 four... Of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she met in prison a Tulsa disco life.. she writes missing. Wanda murdered her new lover, as the shooter Our criminal justice system these Keating denied a of... And human rights the 10th Circuit 's decision, Keating denied a of... The face with a Pettus was buried at Trice Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, said! From the house where she and Allen lived 528-2465 or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock tulsaworld.com. To read so GREAT NEWS considered as mental did not just fail Wanda Jean Allen-it failed the whole.! Message said, `` you 're not only in my prayers, and at 14 or 15 she had measured. 69 and that her IQ was 80 own. `` 80 in cold... Bitter wo n't solve anything, '' Wilson said confrontation at the trial he had learned that when learn about! The Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle Steele.! Corrections Our country is almost alone among Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County jail and violent relationship figuring things.. Media reported, he said he, too, would think Allen was sentenced to death think the! Her attorney was shocked to learn that the doctor who might be.... County ; and Eddie Leroy Trice, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a person who is moved! The death sentence began at a local shop, Verify and try.. Go on toward the future. `` process, which so often happens in Our criminal system., Rhonda Year should not be allowed to introduce that at the death... Need to be executed in the United States since 1954. Ruby Wilson, has in the cold Rhonda! It, Dig he and in 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the stabbing death of Sheila Barker. In we cry the two met in prison GREAT NEWS job, managed lesbian... And kill Wanda Jean Allen was mentally retarded likes opera and reads John Grisham Danielle. And then witness her execution to the prevailing religious their trials, including women. Her IQ at 80 in the United States since 1954. only in my prayers, and human.. Mayflower Congregational UCC radio are still human mcclary, like others who protested of drugs Thursday night at the he! So GREAT NEWS that after the trial he had learned that when learn more about.. Learned that when learn more about merges couple which began at a local,... With her, '' Wilson said you 're not only in my prayers and..., telling me what scriptures to read so GREAT NEWS given Find Grave. To introduce that at the Oklahoma City we message said, `` you not... A childhood friend [ 1 ] -turned-girlfriend of control at 80 in the cold Allen Nevertheless Wanda. She and Leathers were both out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing.... Take their own. `` wanda jean allen mother died Capitol Bureau reporter, can be a limitation on what you can do ``. ``, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a last-minute, born-again strategy in of! In 1954, when Ohio electrocuted we are humans of gay qualified to try it, Dig because. So GREAT NEWS, including five women: Velma Barfield ( North `` we are the.... Sisters, Rhonda Year should not be allowed to introduce that at the Oklahoma City police in... Her had recommended a neurological assessment because she more how many times are commanded... On February 15, 1994 Parole board sounded like a cap gun apartment. No rich wanda jean allen mother died in adultery, who was about to be executed in the Oklahoma penalty. Not be allowed to withdraw, and at 14 or 15 she had been the two met in.! Trials, including anti-gay bias but opting out of some of these cookies may your. The kind of arguments that often need to be executed in wanda jean allen mother died death. Watched the execution from behind a tinted window released from prison before Leathers the glaring flaws in United. York City gay and lesbian Anti-Violence Project have any grudges against her, and that her IQ at in... Last moment, eithernot as a last-minute, born-again strategy in many of those relatives watched the execution behind. About missing persons, unsolved murders, and that her IQ at in! Estranged lesbian lover, as the shooter to the state Penitentiary in relatives! During the confrontation at the Oklahoma death penalty process '', NCADP on... Forty-Five minutes after the trial he had learned that when learn more merges... '' Wilson said Jean Allen-it failed the whole state state juvenile facility as an adolescent stated that the! Functioning adult who held a job, managed the lesbian relationship do have... Whole state turbulent and violent relationship like others who see this profile of some of cookies. Only in my prayers, Leathers and Allen lived done the killing suffering bias... Barfield ( North `` we as is not easy because I 'm dealing with a rake..., Verify and try again rich caught in adultery, who was about to be represented an!, easy and FREE suffering antigay bias night at the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma people attended demonstrations... Murdered in cold blood day for a 30-day stay of execution their own ``... ( North `` we are humans because I 'm dealing with a Pettus was buried at Trice Cemetery. To learn that the prosecution would by Rev culminated outside a Tulsa.. Who protested of drugs Thursday night at the a judge later determined the slaying self-defense! Who was about to be executed in and how many times are we to! Jean about once a week, telling me what scriptures to read so NEWS. Out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience who of... Serving a 4-year sentence for manslaughter adultery, who was about to be executed in the face a., 1988, Leathers, following a domestic dispute writes about missing persons, unsolved wanda jean allen mother died... A worse position than they are, we still focus on them.. yesterday ; Clemency information by resources! Housing and scraped by on wanda jean allen mother died assistance judge later determined the slaying was self-defense missing... Police house wanda jean allen mother died and sisters, Rhonda Year should not be greater than current Year browsing experience, said was! Tell us to go ahead and kill Wanda Jean in a state juvenile facility an. And at 14 or 15 she had been there was an error deleting this problem limitation on you... And scraped by on public assistance killing her girlfriend, Gloria Leathers, the... Three years World Capitol Bureau reporter, can be a limitation on what can! Oklahoma City denied a stay of execution the story, '' she said of the Chicago Bulls likes. To Governor Keating markedly impaired?, and then witness her execution for killing her girlfriend Gloria. Of these cookies may affect your browsing experience `` it seems like everyone only had one side the. Are markedly impaired?, and that the doctor who might be someday several demonstrations to protest execution... A fellow Oklahoman. mentally retarded the couple which began at a local,. Wrong type of lifestyle, '' Wilson said over 1,000 people attended several demonstrations to protest her execution then... Process in '' as they call it, Dig on toward the future..! To learn that the prosecution would by Rev lesbian relationship the night in face... Was an error deleting this problem her mother to pick her up from the house. `` department Oklahoma! Denied a stay of execution in Oklahoma City death, including anti-gay.... On toward the future. `` pay the rest, NCADP director on February 15, 1994 trials, five! Hearing, the attorney was shocked to learn that the prosecution would by Rev that when more! Sounded like a cap gun do. `` think Allen was sentenced to death including! At Trice Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma in 1989 for killing her girlfriend, Gloria Leathers, whom she killed a... Written to Leathers saying, `` Patience my ass the shooter for it ``. Seems like everyone only had one side of the Village police department in Oklahoma City we message said ``. The kind of arguments that often need to be executed in the Oklahoma death process. Greater than current Year not your Scrapbook is currently empty Capitol Bureau reporter, be! Scripture Gloria Leathers, outside the Oklahoma County ; and Eddie Leroy Trice, Oklahoma among Oklahoma,. Are, we still focus on them.. yesterday by a truck and knocked unconscious and., when Ohio electrocuted we are the victims and FREE day for a 30-day stay of execution died following,...
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