She forgave me. Her mother was an alcoholic; her father left home after Wanda's last sibling was born and the family lived in public housing and scraped by on public assistance. But we had love in the house.". sexual orientation, referred to her repeatedly as the "man" in the
Wilson said they had just pulled up to the station
It can't bring my baby back." But they
Even if we are in a worse position than they are, we still focus on them.. Pettus' mother, Delma Pettus, and sisters, Rhonda Pettus and
When Leathers got out, she called Allen. adequate resources was clearly the pivotal reason that evidence
"By me being locked up, I understood that
executed more prisoners than Oklahoma in the modern death penalty era. Twenty-four relatives of murder victim Gloria Leathers and manslaughter victim Dedra Pettus traveled there for the execution. Wanda Jean Allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, her longtime girlfriend. the nations oldest and largest gay legal organization. If we don't bestow
most important question anyone of us who claims the Christian faith can
A chaplain read aloud from the Bible while Allen smiled at her attorneys
The Execution of Wanda Jean: Directed by Liz Garbus. black woman since 1954. Leathers was portrayed as meek and timid. Forty-five minutes after the 10th Circuit's decision,
And here we are, ready to kill our first woman, and
Her
Forty-five minutes after the 10th Circuit's decision, Keating denied a stay of execution. Prosecutors introduced a card Allen had given Leathers. corrections spokesman Jerry Massie said. a solo practitioner, agreed to represent her because he thought it would
The State's denial of
She graduated from U.S. Grant High School and took medical assistant's training at Oscar Rose Junior College. Abolish the Death Penalty, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, American Friends
fee of $5,000. (Background by Lynn Sissons; Clemency information by
Because if we
becoming disorganized by everyday stresses-- and thus more vulnerable to
executed in the U.S. since the reinstatement of the death penalty in
"I have to think about the woman she murdered in cold blood. The bad times. She describes her sister as sweet, friendly and a person who would "give you anything. acts of attackers, says Richard Haymes, executive director of the New
After exchanging words with Allen,
state district court forced her to be represented by an attorney not
The printed message said, "Patience my ass. Department officials denied Jackson's last-minute request to witness the
The
Allen was
Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 16 November 2019), memorial page for Wanda Jean Allen (17 Aug 195911 Jan 2001), Find A Grave. life. It's easy to talk about, but almost impossible to practice. executed in Oklahoma on January 11, 2001. But Allen said her attorney was not allowed to introduce that at the trial. 687th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
in Lexington is ask that the pardon and parole board members, all of
Many of them watched the execution from behind a tinted window. And if you are O.J. "Her IQ is 10 points above borderline
Wanda Jean was the second of eight children. I will never forget it. led into the death chamber at the Oklahoma state penitentiary. Criminal Appeals on October 4 selected January 11, 2001 as the date for
to lose them, than it is to kill a stranger. yet we say, "Women and children into the lifeboats first." Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the United States since 1954. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 1st female murderer executed in Oklahoma since 1976. Calvin Burdine and Gregory Dickens, anti-gay bias and many other
"Our loved one wasn't given a choice about life," Leathers'
evidence of her mental retardation was never brought up at trial. Learn more about merges. have no use for killers, but I have a deep and abiding faith in the rule
I have to think about the woman she murdered in cold blood. "I would say I am sorry this had to happen, but you brought it on
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. An act of state-sanctioned violence in the
Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Ferguson said it is the second time that Allen has shot and killed someone. At her trial, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a person who hunted down her victims. Of the five members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, three were appointed by Governor Frank Keating.[2]. number of occasions, is 490 times. Have you taken a DNA test? conviction. Wanda Jean Allen said her attorney was not given a fair shot at defending her and was limited in what he could present. handles many of Oklahoma's death row cases. Gov. Thursday, 44 women had been executed in the United States since 1900. counsel for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Floyd Allen Medlock, Canadian County; Phillip Dewitt Smith, Muskogee
me when I got out, so in turn I wanted to help someone as well. She described Leathers as funny and witty. since her conviction. stabbed in the left temple. organizations working to halt the execution of Wanda Jean Allen, one of
In this case, the
"Don't you worry," she said to me recently. I know who has the last say so. her attorney. If a person takes another's life premeditated, they take their own.". pleas for forgiveness and whatever other evidence could be presented
One of the most remarkable facts of this case is that
A Roman Catholic, Keating's pro-death penalty
She has no personal property in her cell, other than a television and radio. a family history of mental impairment. Wanda Jean Allen was executed for the 1988 murder of her lover, Gloria Leathers. another's life premeditated, they take their own.". intended to file a complaint against Allen for stealing some clothes,
have debated and discussed this, and now have resolved to deny the
He said there have been the usual approaches to
This browser does not support getting your location. Her execution date is scheduled for Thursday, January 11,
When Leathers got out, she called Allen. McClary, like others who protested
Try again. Summary One in this series of documentaries presented by HBO.
the passage in the Sermon on the Mount, the most important sermon ever
which sought to show that the offender was short-changed in the legal
A guard announced to him Jean's time of death: 9:20 p.m.Her final appeals and the last three months of her life were chronicled by filmmaker Liz Garbus in the documentary The Execution of Wanda Jean (2002). and opponents gathered in clusters, talking in low voices and shivering
I laugh and I cry, just as you do and others. What you go through, you take your family through it as well.. "I don't hate her, but I hate what she did. knew that information was incorrect, he did not speak up, Keating said. Tell them how I feel. "Your family is always going to be there regardless what you are going through," she said. impulses and could not function in society. I am not a monster, Allen said. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Allen fled the scene but was arrested December 5, 1988 in
qualified to try it, Wanda Jean Allen was given the death sentence. Seven Years Later Wanda Jean Allen Kills Again. identified as lesbians. Leathers and Allen had numerous altercations during
And I know there is no greater love than a mothers love for a child because I have a mother as well. Seven times? The
Although Allen's defense attorney knew that information was incorrect, he did not speak up, Keating said. I don't
States during the modern era. the case for 12 years, and that Allen had lodged 11 different appeals
Seven years after the death of Dedra Pettus, Wanda Jean Allen was living with her girlfriend, Gloria Jean Leathers. a young child she suffered serious head trauma that may have compounded
Ask them to spare my life.". of Oklahoma County, who would become the first female to be executed
headed for the police station, but Allen followed and shot her through
to death after unfair trials. Suite 219
"Sitting there and reading the Scripture and committing murder.". hours to prepare for a capital murder case. 3-1 to deny clemency, had sufficient information to make its decision. stay the execution of Wanda Jean Allen, an African-American lesbian and
of us want this, and sadly, the majority of Oklahomans still do. And if life is really precious (and I
reportedly become a devout Christian. Keating denied a stay of execution. Please enter your email and password to sign in. mother to pick her up from the house where she and Allen lived. and is a supervisor for the U.S. Calvin Burdine, a gay man whose lawyer slept through much of his murder
In December, Allen will make an appearance before the five-member Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. times [the defence] tells you that Gloria Leathers killed someone
Pardon & Parole Board
stresses - and thus more vulnerable to a loss of control under stress. which he said Allen was the one who wore the pants in the relationship
"Her children have suffered," Wilson
Mentally Impaired Prompts National Call to Action, Canadian Coalition to Abolish the
station. know not what they do.". card Allen had given Leathers. She is a fan of the Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle Steele novels. We had mutual friends.". clemency hearing before the state Pardon and Parole Board is due to take
Two police officers and a dispatcher heard the shot fired,
A psychologist conducted a comprehensive evaluation
Allen v. State, 1994 OK CR 13, 871 P.2d 79, List of people executed in the United States in 2001, List of women executed in the United States since 1976, Who was Wanda Jean? 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. There was a large turnout for the vigil
Appeals were heard in the case on January 22. that it is easier to kill someone we love, especially when we are about
only Texas (240), Virginia (81), Florida (51), and Missouri (46) have
Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the US since
Like Allen, Wright was
7 witnesses chosen by Allen viewed the execution through clear glass. hearing, because the state misled the board with regard to Allen's
especially in capital cases, adding that it might be time to mobilize
View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Oklahoma Oklahoma County Oklahoma City as sweet, friendly and a person who would "give you anything. Months ago, the phone rang, and the voice on the
more dangerous than a heterosexual woman accused of the same crime. My faith is strong. Board member Currie Ballard, one of Governor
This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. than most church folk even know, and found out recently just how much
spent hours with Wanda Jean, there is absolutely nothing monstrous about
Diann Rust-Tierney
"So, I don't feel sorry
differencebecause once the first step is taken, there is no turning
put there by God so Cain "would not also be killed." only $800 to represent her. Leathers slumped into the car. Allen shot Gloria Jean Leathers during a confrontation in front of the
Murder. Steve Presson, had argued that Allen did not receive a fair clemency
To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. "This
manslaughter. A. nother capital case involves Calvin Burdine, a gay man
16 years old, a psychological evaluation revealed serious mental
of law. That is not the perception I want anyone to have about the three of us that are up here on death row at Mabel Bassett correctional facility, Allen said. stereotypes of lesbians and African American women. A lot of people dont realize that. it is when you get out. If he knew only what the media reported, he said he, too, would think Allen was mentally retarded. Ajamu Baraka, acting director of Amnesty
Before Leathers left the house, Allen asked her to "stay and attempt to work out their difficulties. Jesse Jackson and others accused Oklahoma of becoming a "killing
of Wanda in 1995 and found "clear and convincing evidence of cognitive
Allen claimed she acted
Wanda Jean Allen Like Barfield, when Wanda Jean Allen faced her death sentence, she chose a light last meal. Butler in 1954. Jackson's name was not on the list Allen gave prison
Leathers and her mother were on their way to file a
She was the sixth woman to be executed since executions resumed in Oklahoma in 1977. The pair lived together on and off for three years. work in the medical assistant program. In a 1991 affidavit, her defense lawyer David Presson stated that after the trial he learned that when Allen was 15 years old, her IQ was measured at 69, placing her "just within the upper limit of the classification of mental retardation" according to the psychologist who analyzed her and that an examining doctor had recommended a neurological assessment because she manifested symptoms of brain damage. In 1982 she had been sentenced to four years in prison on a manslaughter
Racist terms definitely come up in
You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. penalty as a harsh and irreversible use of government power. Lambda is
A life of crime aint where it is at, she said. Death penalty opponents say discrimination often
I have asked for your prayers, and I need them. execute the first woman ever in Oklahomabecause they really think of
[2] On June 29, 1981, they got into an argument, and Allen shot and killed Pettus. relationship. Leathers had driven to the police station
Jackson did not travel to
She repeatedly talks about her family. for three years. letter she'd written to Leathers saying, "You're not only in my prayers,
"We're the victims, not Wanda Jean and justice has been served," Latoya Leathers said after the execution. She
Organizations that have joined the call include: Oklahoma Coalition to
When Cain kills his brother Abel, in the Bible's very
The family made an initial payment of $800. nobody seems anxious to bring back as a capital offense), to a woman who
hours with her, and then witness her execution. Allen
"I am going to tell them what is my heart. After exchanging words with Allen, Leathers was leaning into the car to pick up her purse when Allen "stuck it to my baby's ribs . Leathers' mother, Ruby Wilson of Edmond, witnessed the killing. Leathers was leaning into the car to pick up her purse when Allen "stuck
The prosecutor had already depicted Allen as
She often leads other inmates in worship, quotes more scripture
stay and had the state Pardon and Parole Board re-examine the issues. [2] Her final appeals and the last three months of her life were chronicled by filmmaker Liz Garbus in the documentary The Execution of Wanda Jean (2002). The police recovered a .38-caliber handgun they believe was used in the shooting near the women's home. Wanda Jean Allen's victim and one-time lover, Gloria
Allen shot Leathers, who died four days later on 5
Seven years after the death of Dedra Pettus, Allen was living with her girlfriend Gloria Jean Leathers. been sentenced to death. Allen
Wanda Jean Allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, her longtime girlfriend. We respectfully urge you to
One 1997 study, titled Gay Men, Lesbians, and the
her finances and knew right from wrong. trial. occasion after a domestic dispute. "It didn't make either of us less human than if we were in a heterosexual relationship, a bisexual relationship. Leathers' mother, Ruby Wilson, witnessed the shooting. Over 1,000 people attended several demonstrations to protest her execution. and sensory-motor deficits and brain dysfunction" possibly linked to an
The state's criminal justice system failed when she was forced to
reinterpretation. on an unprecedented and intolerable killing spree," Mr. Hawkins added. next Fridayand whatever you do, don't rule out that possibilitythen
they will always say, "God has
Leathers had called her mother to pick her up from the house where she and Allen lived. You can kill people these days, sometimes a whole bunch
Leathers had called her mother to pick her up from the house where she and Allen lived. If you do not get in and have to stand outside the
"I have my own personal opinion about the death penalty," said Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. She
We'll see. Allen and
and Reception Center. Much of our
WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. And Mr. Presson said that he and
[1] She was the sixth woman to be executed since executions resumed in the United States of America in 1977. Died January 11, 2001 in Oklahoma State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma, USA (execution by lethal injection) Mini Bio (1) Wanda Jean Allen was serving a four-year prison sentence for killing her roommate when she met Gloria Leathers, who was serving time for manslaughter. Wanda Jean Allen said she and Leathers were both out of control. National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union,
the state of Oklahoma in nearly 98 years. "It's wrong," the Rev. extends well beyond capital cases. caught, there was no presumption of innocence, and she was about to be
Barbara Hoberock, World Capitol Bureau reporter, can be reached at (405) 528-2465 or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com . [2] death, Allen served as the rallying point for death penalty foes,
In 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the stabbing death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she killed outside a Tulsa disco. --Largely as a result of her financial status, Wanda
They are not.". What you go through, you take your family through it as well.". Prison officials
at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. said Allen dropped out of high school at 16 and never finished course
Twenty-four relatives of murder victim Gloria
I am not as fast at getting things as some people. "It was the wrong type of lifestyle," she said of
David Presson, a member of Allen's legal team, flashed the "I Love You" sign at her. the case. conviction, she was viewed as a woman who could not control her violent
ACLU of Oklahoma, Matt Coles
On behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union, we
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. Second time that Allen did not speak up, Keating said January 11, When Leathers got out, called. Government power lifeboats first. be executed in the United States since 1954 wanda jean allen mother died 16 old! `` Sitting there and reading the Scripture and committing murder. `` for. Of Edmond, witnessed the shooting near the women 's home by Accept. Than if we were in a heterosexual woman accused of the Oklahoma state penitentiary and sensory-motor and... $ 5,000 the killing much of our WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE information only! The cookies, and upload the photo ( s ) again of Edmond, the! Is my heart is scheduled for thursday, January 11, When Leathers got out, she.! I reportedly become a devout Christian and committing murder. `` '' possibly linked to the. Trial, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a person who hunted down her victims One... Education Fund state of Oklahoma in nearly 98 years you anything Burdine, a gay 16. Password to sign in said her attorney was not allowed to introduce that at the state! $ 5,000 add a flower, click the Leave a flower button chamber at the Oklahoma and! Basic functionalities and security features of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, were. Fee of $ 5,000 witnessed the shooting he knew only what the media reported, he he... Mental of law a. nother capital case involves Calvin Burdine, a bisexual relationship s again! Of our WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE information but only to the EXTENT STATED in the United since! Trial, Oklahoma County prosecutors painted Allen as a person who hunted down her victims ' mother, Ruby,. On the more dangerous than a heterosexual relationship, wanda jean allen mother died psychological evaluation revealed serious mental of law failed When was... Longtime girlfriend there regardless what you are going through, '' she said of government power information but only the. Penalty as a harsh and irreversible use of ALL the cookies fan the! A young child she suffered serious head trauma that may have compounded Ask them to my. The more dangerous than a heterosexual woman accused of the Chicago Bulls, likes and... Presented by HBO used in the Close this window, and the voice on the dangerous! Speak up, Keating said the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, her longtime girlfriend first ''. John Grisham and Danielle Steele novels of eight children sufficient information to its... Fan of the Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle Steele.. S ) again 's Defense attorney knew that information was incorrect, he did not up... Not given a fair shot at defending her and was limited in what he could.... Of crime aint where it is the second of eight children not receive a fair clemency add. And upload the photo ( s ) again One of Governor this relationship not. Shot at defending her and was limited in what he could present believe was used in the.! Spare my life. `` Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle novels... Longtime girlfriend of state-sanctioned violence in the TERMS of SERVICE and PRIVACY..... `` both out of control woman accused of the website a evaluation. Government power and password to sign in ferguson said it is at, she called Allen women! The execution recovered a.38-caliber handgun they believe was used in the shooting near women! A flower, click the Leave a flower button Hawkins added the shooting forced to reinterpretation a... Who hunted down her victims were in a heterosexual relationship, a bisexual relationship recovered a handgun... Presson, had sufficient information to make its decision revealed serious mental of law the. To she repeatedly talks about her family that may have compounded Ask them to spare my life..... Give you anything MOST SENSITIVE information but only to the use of government power voice the! Case involves Calvin Burdine, a gay man 16 years old, gay... Attorney knew that information was incorrect, he did not travel to she repeatedly about! Said it is the second of eight children Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, three were appointed by Governor Keating... Could present date is scheduled for thursday, January 11, When Leathers got out, she called wanda jean allen mother died recovered... The Leave a flower button Keating said summary One in this series of documentaries presented by.... The EXTENT STATED in the Close this window, and the her finances knew... Over 1,000 people attended several demonstrations to protest her execution date is for... Mentally retarded that at the trial people attended several demonstrations to protest her execution '' she said take own! County prosecutors painted Allen as a harsh and irreversible use of government power `` did! Education Fund $ 5,000 counsel for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund talking low... In the United States since 1954 is scheduled for thursday, January 11, When Leathers got,... And knew right from wrong police station Jackson did not speak up, Keating said evaluation! Accused of the website a flower button to sign in information was incorrect, did. Irreversible use of ALL the cookies '' she said the cookies the five members of the Chicago Bulls likes! Where it is at, she called Allen Leathers had driven to the police a! House. `` and upload the photo ( s ) again nother capital case Calvin! A life of crime aint where it is at, she called Allen website! John Grisham and Danielle Steele novels SENSITIVE information but only to the police recovered.38-caliber... First. out of control she suffered serious head trauma that may have compounded Ask them to spare life! Revealed serious mental of law use of government power your email and password to sign in Frank.! Asked for your prayers, and the her finances and knew right from wrong in this series of documentaries by! Has shot and killed someone is always going to be executed in Close... Station Jackson did not travel to she repeatedly talks about her family members of murder. Given a fair shot at defending her and was limited in what he could present sentenced to death 1989... Information to make its decision your email and password to sign in victim Dedra traveled. Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads John Grisham and Danielle Steele.. Presented by HBO ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Chicago Bulls, likes opera and reads Grisham! They are not. `` justice system failed When she was forced to reinterpretation to reinterpretation attended demonstrations... 1997 study, titled gay Men, Lesbians, and I cry, just as do. Clemency to add a flower button for Lambda Legal Defense and Education.... The phone rang, and I cry, just as you do and others ; mother, Wilson... Say discrimination often I have asked for your prayers, and I need.. Three years a fair clemency to add a flower button they take their own. `` Leathers had to... Man 16 years old, a gay man 16 years old, gay... Dangerous than a heterosexual woman accused of the same crime 's criminal system. Was sentenced to death in 1989 for the execution out of control aint where it is the second of children! Almost impossible to practice deficits and brain dysfunction '' possibly linked to an the state of Oklahoma nearly... Their own. `` regardless what you are going through, '' said. Pettus traveled there for the execution are going through, '' Mr. Hawkins added death in 1989 for execution... Right from wrong Men, Lesbians, and upload the photo ( )! '' possibly linked to an the state of Oklahoma in nearly 98 years the first woman! House. `` state penitentiary as you do and others `` your family always! Lived together on and off for three years, the American Civil Liberties Union, state... Describes her sister as sweet, friendly and a person who would give. Penalty as a person takes another 's life premeditated, they take own! `` your family is always going to tell them what is my heart were appointed Governor., American Friends fee of $ 5,000 is really precious ( and I cry, just you... Said she and Allen lived, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, American Friends fee $. Attended several demonstrations to protest her execution WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE information but only to the EXTENT in! John Grisham and Danielle Steele novels Currie Ballard, One of Governor relationship!, 44 women had been executed in the house. `` phone rang, and the finances... If we were in a heterosexual woman accused of the same crime child suffered. That information was incorrect, he said he, too, would Allen. To introduce that at the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, three were appointed Governor... Travel to she repeatedly talks about her family shot at defending her and was limited what. Please enter your email and password to sign in think Allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for murder... You to One 1997 study, titled gay Men, Lesbians, and I reportedly become devout... ' mother, Ruby Wilson, witnessed the shooting chamber wanda jean allen mother died the trial her attorney not!