Bio

Eddie Duvall Powell III was born on August 23, 1969. He grew up in Holt, Alabama, a small community in Tuscaloosa County. Powell worked at a local restaurant called O'Charley's in Tuscaloosa. He lived with a friend named Bobby Johnson, and they were known to frequent the area together. Their friendship and shared living situation were part of Powell's life at the time.

Murder Story

Before sunrise on March 25, 1995, Eddie Duvall Powell III committed a violent crime in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His victim was 70-year-old Mattie Lee "Polly" Wesson. In her home, she endured a brutal attack where she was raped and shot.

After the assault, Mattie managed to walk across the street to a neighbor's yard. There, she told the neighbor that a black man had raped and shot her. Tragically, she died shortly after speaking, unable to provide more details about her attacker.

Investigators began their inquiry by examining the crime scene and collecting evidence. Physical evidence linked Powell to the crime. His semen was found on Mattie's body. They also discovered blood from Mattie on Powell's clothing, specifically a borrowed leather jacket. A handprint belonging to Powell was found on a window in Mattie's home, which had been tampered with.

After committing the crime, Powell visited a friend named Jason Long early in the morning and requested help to dispose of a handgun, which was suspected to be involved in the murder. This firearm was never recovered. Witnesses testified about Powell's statements on the day of the murder, including a conversation where he mentioned that he shot the victim.

Powell had a prior history of arrests for various crimes, including robbery. His case went through two trials, with the first ending in a mistrial due to jury deadlock. The second trial found him guilty on charges of capital murder, leading to a recommendation for the death penalty.

After a lengthy legal process, Powell was sentenced to death. He spent years on death row before being executed by lethal injection on June 16, 2011. His final words included an apology to the families affected by his actions, and he expressed a hope for peace.