re: Remembering Lt Vickie Wax - 20 years today

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Was the POS’s death sentence carried out?

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Sadly, no. TLDR warning.

I was on the jury that tried this case. Mr. Williams, while not a Mensa Club member, had enough brain cells to formulate a plan for that night's entertainment. IIRC he stole a set of sheets and a disposable camera, and when Lt. Wax stopped him to see his receipt the struggle ensued where he overpowered her and took her gun.

He shot and killed her, shot and severely wound the store manager. He then ran into the parking lot and 'borrowed' a car at gunpoint from the driver and passenger.

The DA's office put their A team on this case, while the public defender's office did the best they could with what they had to work with. It didn't matter because the evidence and eyewitness testimony (including that of a family court judge) was overwhelming, and there were no prolonged deliberations on the verdict or punishment.

For what it's worth, I have lost not one minute of sleep over sentencing this man to death. I feel for Lt. Wax's family of course, and for Shedran's mother, who literally worked herself into an early grave trying to save her son from himself.

Oh, and Mike Erwin was the judge presiding. Funny story - a fellow juror was a newlywed, and since we were all sequestered, he asked Judge Erwin for a conjugal visit with his new bride in the middle of the trial. Erwin looked at the note, laughed and said 'no'.