Schnader’s Judge Lewis Signs Clemency Petition for Terrance Williams

Hon. Timothy K. Lewis was one of the 160-plus people who signed in support of the September 6 petition seeking clemency for condemned killer Terrance “Terry” Williams. Williams is scheduled for execution by lethal injection on October 3 for the murder of Amos Norwood. The petition includes signatures from 18 former prosecutors, seven retired judges, 27 child advocates, 43 mental health professionals, and 35 law professors, all who support the clemency petition because the Philadelphia jury that condemned 18-year-old Williams in 1986 never heard of his horrific childhood history of sexual abuse by a neighbor, a teacher, and Amos Norwood. The petition has also been signed by Norwood’s widow along with affidavits from five members of the original jury.

Williams’ lawyers will appear before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina on September 17 with an emergency petition to stay the execution. If Judge Sarmina denies the stay, Williams will continue to the state Board of Pardons for a hearing on a request to commute his sentence to life in prison without parole.

Media coverage appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on September 7.