Bio

Walter Key Williams was born on January 30, 1962. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas. His childhood was difficult, as he lived in a poor neighborhood known for its problems with guns, drugs, and gangs. This environment likely influenced his upbringing.

Walter had a troubled youth. He was surrounded by behaviors and influences that were not positive. Unfortunately, the circumstances of his early life were fraught with challenges. This shaped him as he grew into a young adult.

In 1981, when he was 19 years old, Walter was living with his parents. Most of his daily life revolved around family and friends in the area. He was often in the company of people who led risky lifestyles. His surroundings were marked by crime and violence. He became involved with a friend named Theodore Edwards during this time.

In the days leading up to his crimes, Walter's actions and decisions were affected by the environment he spent time in. This ultimately led to events that would change the course of his life. Walter's early life was a reflection of his surroundings, shaping not only his character but also his future actions.

Murder Story

On February 9, 1981, Walter Key Williams and his friend Theodore Edwards obtained a .38 caliber revolver from Williams's home. They first visited a gas station, where Edwards fatally shot the attendant while attempting to rob the place. They fled the scene with the stolen money and split it between them. Later that night, the two decided to rob a nearby Circle K convenience store where Williams had previously worked.

At about 2 a.m. on February 10, 1981, they arrived at the store. Edwards and Williams planned their approach, with Edwards taking position across the counter from the store clerk, Daniel Liepold, while Williams stood nearby with the gun. As Liepold turned his back to serve Edwards, Williams shot him in the back. After the shooting, they attempted to access the cash registers. Williams left the store in a hurry, feeling scared when he noticed a passing car. He went home, leaving Edwards behind.

Upon returning home, Williams fell asleep for about half an hour before being awakened by police officers who had come to arrest him. Earlier that night, a friend of Liepold’s, Roberto Gutierrez, had spotted the two men trying to open the cash registers. He provided a description of their car, which led police to Williams's home. When the officers entered Williams’s bedroom, they found him asleep next to the revolver, along with a birthday card from Liepold.

After his arrest, Williams confessed to his involvement in both the convenience store and gas station shootings. He quickly admitted that he was the one who shot Liepold. He was ultimately convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. After several years of legal proceedings, including appeals where his attorneys argued that he did not receive a fair trial, his conviction was upheld. On October 5, 1994, Walter Key Williams was executed by lethal injection in Texas.