Bio

Terrick Terrell Nooner was born on March 17, 1971. He is an African American male. During his teenage years, Nooner experienced significant disruptions in his home life. He was removed from his home at one point and placed into foster care due to issues related to his family. His childhood was marked by instability. At one time, he was placed in a psychiatric institution called Rivendale for treatment. While there, he was noted to have behavioral issues and difficulties fitting into social norms.

Nooner struggled with school as well. His educational achievements were reportedly below average for his age. He faced many challenges in learning and his behavior at school. There were also mentions of issues with alcohol during his teenage years. He grew up in a community that may not have provided the support he needed, which contributed to his difficulties.

Murder Story

At approximately 1:30 AM on March 16, 1993, Scott Stobaugh, a college student, was at the Funwash Laundromat on West Markham Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. During his visit, Scott was shot seven times in the back at close range with a .22-caliber pistol. The shooting occurred during a robbery attempt, and an amount of $20 and a checkbook were taken from him.

A security camera at the laundromat captured footage of the incident. In the video, Scott was seen raising his hands, indicating that he was not a threat. Two witnesses later identified Terrick Terrell Nooner from the footage, recognizing him by his clothing and appearance. Additional evidence, including ballistics, linked Nooner to the firearm used in the crime.

After a trial, a Pulaski County Circuit Court jury found Nooner guilty of capital murder. During the sentencing phase, evidence was presented that described the impact of Scott's death on his family, including testimony from his mother. The jury also heard mitigating testimony from Nooner's stepfather.

The jury identified two aggravating factors: that Nooner had committed another violent felony and that the murder was carried out for financial gain. No mitigating factors were found. As a result, Nooner was sentenced to death by lethal injection.

Nooner's co-defendant, Robert Rockett, accepted a plea deal, confessing to first-degree murder and receiving a 65-year prison sentence. He is serving a life term for a separate murder conviction as well.

In the years following his conviction, Nooner's legal team filed multiple appeals and petitions. A federal judge issued a stay of execution in 2007, as Nooner's defense argued for a mental evaluation that had been previously denied. Nooner made various claims regarding his treatment in prison, alleging mistreatment and voicing paranoid thoughts.

The legal proceedings around Nooner's case continued, with various courts addressing the issues raised in his appeals, including claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and questions regarding his mental competency.