Indianapolis, July 2 (AP) - Governor Kernan says it would be unjust to execute Darnell Williams, because his co-defendant can't be executed for the crime.
The governor announced Froday afternoon that he was commuting the death sentence against Williams to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Williams and Gregory Rouster were both condemned for the 1986 murders of Rouster's former foster parents, John and Henretta Rease.
A court later ruled that Rouster was mentally retarded and revoked his death sentence.
Kernan says Rouster was more culpable for the murders.
The state parole board had voted unanimously earlier Tuesday to recommend that Kernan commute Williams' sentence to life in prison without possibility of parole, saying too many unresolved questions remained to carry out the execution.
Timeline of events in the case of Darnell Williams v. State of Indiana.
Aug. 12, 1986-John Rease, 73, a retired steelworker, and his 59-year-old wife, Henrietta, are murdered in their Gary home.
February 1987-Darnell Williams, 21, and Gregory Rouster, 18, convicted of murdering the Reases. Both later sentenced to death. Rouster had lived with the Reases as a foster child.
Sept. 28, 1999- The Indiana Supreme Court denies appeals of Williams and Rouster. The high court sets a November execution date for both men, but they are not carried because they file appeals in federal court.
May 15, 2000-The U.S. Supreme Court refuses without comment to hear Williams' appeal of his death sentence.
June 2003-A Lake Superior Court judge rules that Rouster will not be executed because mental health experts say he is mentally retarded.
July 25, 2003-A federal judge denies request by Williams' attorneys for access to blood evidence to conduct DNA tests that might cast doubt on his guilt. Indiana Supreme Court denies Williams' request for consideration of new evidence in the case.
July 28, 2003-Gov. Frank O'Bannon grants a stay of execution to allow for DNA tests, just days before Williams' scheduled Aug. 1 execution.
May 21, 2004-The Indiana Supreme Court set a a July 9 execution date for Williams, saying DNA tests in his case were inconclusive and did not undermine "other overwhelming evidence of his guilt."
June 21, 2004-Williams appears before the Indiana State Parole Board and asks it to recommend that his death sentence be commuted to a sentence to life in prison.
June 28, 2004-Thomas Vanes, who prosecuted the case against Williams, and juror John Gnajek urged the Indiana Parole Board to recommend that Gov. Joe Kernan grant him clemency.
June 29, 2004-The Indiana Parole Board recommends that Kernan grant Williams' request for a sentence of life in prison without parole.
July 2, 2004-Kernan commutes Williams' sentence to life in prison without possibility of parole.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
