William Kuenzel, sentenced to Alabama Death Row in 1988, dead of cancer

https://www.al.com/news/2022/02/william-kuenzel-sentenced-to-alabama-death-row-in-1988-dead-of-cancer.html 

William E. Kuenzel, who had been on Alabama’s death row since 1988, died from cancer on Saturday at the age of 60 at the Holman Correctional Institution in Atmore, according to his attorney.

“Billy was sentenced to death in 1988 without any jury ever hearing the full evidence of his innocence – because he had supposedly missed a filing deadline,” his obituaire states.

The Alabama Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kuenzel was given the death sentence for the 1987 murder of a convenience store clerk, Linda Offord, based partly on the testimony of his confessed accomplice, Harvey Venn.

His case gained the support of former Attorney General Edwin Meese, who said he was, “very likely actually innocent.” Actors and former prosecutors from around the country were outspoken on his behalf.

Kuenzel appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for a new hearing, arguing that prosecutors withheld key evidence in his trial, but the justices rejected his appeal withou comment in 2016.Born in Coosa County, Alabama, William worked in offshore oil rigs in Louisiana and a textile factory in Alabama before his conviction. In prison he trained as a paralegal and became a lay faith leader through a prison program called Kairos Prison Ministries, according to his obituary.

“Despite his wrongful imprisonment, Billy led a life of purpose and meaning,” his obituary states.

“Billy’s legal efforts against this systemic injustice won support from former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III, former District Attorneys Robert Morgenthau, Gil Garcetti and Mike McCann and former U.S. Senator Doug Jones. A diverse range of religious leaders also supported his appeals, along with actor Sam Waterston,” the obituary continued.

He is survived by his son, William, his daughter-in-law Lacy, three grandchildren and several cousins.