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McALESTER (AP) - Walanzo Deon Robinson was executed Tuesday for the 1989 killing of a rival Oklahoma City drug dealer who was shot three times in the street.
Robinson, 31, died at 6:10 p.m. after receiving a lethal dose of drugs at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. He had been convicted of first-degree murder for killing Dennis Hill May 19, 1989.
"It's been a long 13 years of waiting, pain and stress for me," Anthony Lee, Hill's brother, said in a statement. "And now the time has come when my mind can be free, but Dennis can still be in my heart."
Robinson is the third inmate put to death this year in Oklahoma and the 141st in the state's history. Execution dates are also set for four other inmates.
The execution was carried out after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Robinson's last-ditch appeal Tuesday without comment. His previous appeals had also all been denied.
Robinson had alleged in Monday's appeal that racial bias led the jury to give him the death sentence and that the evidence used to convict him was circumstantial and filled with discrepancy.
"Walanzo Robinson was properly convicted and sentenced," Attorney General Drew Edmondson said in a statement. "His appeals have been exhausted and the Pardon and Parole Board has rightfully denied clemency. It is time the execution is carried out."
Robinson, who was 18 at the time, and Hill were arguing over who could sell cocaine on a northeast Oklahoma City street corner when Robinson pulled out a handgun, witnesses said.
Robinson shot Hill, 26, in the back as he tried to run away, then shot him twice more as he lay in the street asking someone to call an ambulance, according to witnesses.
"It is absolutely cold-blooded," said Gary Ackley, who prosecuted Robinson for the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office. "He swept away the life of Mr. Hill the way you would swipe away a fly that's bothering you. People with that little regard for human life don't deserve to live."
Robinson's appeal said a lone black juror switched her vote in favor of death only after some white jurors intimidated her and referred to her with racial slurs, like "Little Miss Slave Trader."
Robinson's attorneys used the same argument in unsuccesfully asking for clemency. The juror, Marcia Davidson, did not testify during the clemency hearing, leaving Robinson to rely on second-hand accounts of her allegations.
Edmondson responded to Robinson's court appeal Tuesday, citing other jurors' testimony that they heard no such abuse during the deliberations, a spokeswoman said.
Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board members denied clemency March 12, with three voting against it, one abstaining and the other recusing herself. It was the newly appointed board's first clemency case.
Helen Lee-Hawkins, Hill's sister, recalled Hill as a fishing enthusiast, who enjoyed reading the newspaper and detailing cars. Hill was also close to her son, she said.
"Walanzo showed no emotions, no sympathy or a care in the world for his behavior," Lee-Hawkins wrote in a letter to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
Meanwhile, Robinson ate a last meal Tuesday of cucumber salad, beef sausage pizza, a chocolate fudge sundae with nuts and a small jar of dill pickle halves.
Robinson is the third Oklahoma inmate to be put to death this year.
Bobby Joe Fields, 39, was executed Feb.
13 for the 1993 slaying of an elderly Oklahoma City woman during a burglary.
Daniel Juan Revilla, 34, of Altus, was executed Jan. 16 for the 1986 death
of his girlfriend's baby.
From News 8, ABC, Oklahoma
Robinson Executed For 1989 Fatal Shooting
of Rival Drug Dealer Tues March 18, 10:17 pm
McAlester (AP) - Walanzo Deon Robinson was executed Tuesday for the 1989 killing of a rival Oklahoma City drug dealer who was shot three times in the street.
Robinson died at 6:10 after receiving a lethal dose of drugs at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.
He'd been convicted of first-degree murder for killing Dennis Hill on May 19th, 1989.
Robinson is the third inmate put to death this year in Oklahoma and the 141st in state history.
Associated Press.
Robinson's two-minute final statement was inaudible through the prison sound system, but corrections officials said he maintained his innocence to the end.
Robinson was convicted for the shooting death of Dennis Hill in May 1989.
Witnesses said Robinson, who was 18 at the time, and Hill were arguing over who could sell cocaine on an Oklahoma City street corner when Robinson pulled out a handgun.
As Hill tried to run away, Robinson shot him in the back, then shot him twice more as he lay in the street pleading for an ambulance.
Robinson had alleged in his appeals that racial bias led the jury to give him the death sentence and that the evidence used to convict him was circumstantial and filled with discrepancy.
Hill's brothers, Anthony and Cordell Lee, were present at the execution.
"It's been a long 13 years of waiting, pain and stress for me," Anthony Lee said in a statement. "And now the time has come when my mind can be free, but Dennis can still be in my heart."
Robinson is the third inmate executed in Oklahoma this year; four others are scheduled.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press.
All Rights Reserved.)
A convicted killer who is to be put to death tonight has made two last meal requests.
State prison officials say Walonzo Deon Robinson is asking for either a medium cucumber salad with tomato, lettuce, black pepper, Italian dressing and no salt. A large cheese pizza with beef sausage, no pepperoni and no pork. A chocolate fudge sundae with nuts and a small jar of dill pickle halves.
Or, he wants five pieces of crispy chicken with french fries and corn on the cob. A medium cucumber salad, a large pecan or sweet potato pie and an eight ounce glass of grape or 12 ounce glass of apple juice.
Robinson is to be executed at 6 tonight for the 1989 shooting death of Dennis Hill in Oklahoma City.
Authorities say the shooting was the result
of a dispute over which of the two would sell cocaine on a specific street
corner.
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