1954 - 2002
Summary
Name:
Walter Mickens Jr.Years Active:
1992Birth:
October 19, 1954Status:
ExecutedClass:
MurdererVictims:
1Method:
StabbingDeath:
June 12, 2002Nationality:
USA1954 - 2002
Summary: Murderer
Name:
Walter Mickens Jr.Status:
ExecutedVictims:
1Method:
StabbingNationality:
USABirth:
October 19, 1954Death:
June 12, 2002Years Active:
1992Date Convicted:
June 3, 1993"I would just like to say in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and Jesus' name, I forgive Gov. Warner for his decision and whoever I may have hurt or caused harm to, I pray that you can forgive me. I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering that I have caused. And to all my brothers and sisters in Christ, I wish you well."
— Walter Mickens Jr.
Walter Mickens Jr. was born on October 19, 1954, in Virginia. His father left when he was young. His mother later said he had learning problems and began sniffing glue as a teenager. Before the murder, Mickens had a serious criminal record. He had earlier convictions for robbery and sodomy in the 1970s and 1980s.
By 1992, Mickens was living in Newport News, Virginia. He became a suspect after 17-year-old Timothy Jason Hall was found dead near the James River. Mickens was later arrested and convicted of capital murder and attempted forcible sodomy. His case also became known because his trial lawyer had previously represented the victim in an unrelated case, creating a major legal issue during his appeals.
Timothy Jason Hall was last seen alive on March 28, 1992, in Newport News, Virginia. Two days later, on March 30, his body was found near the James River under an abandoned building. Hall was 17 years old. He had been stabbed 143 times and was found partially unclothed. Medical evidence showed that many of the wounds were fatal and that he may have survived for some time after the attack before bleeding to death.
Police later connected Walter Mickens Jr. to the crime through DNA evidence, witness testimony, and statements he allegedly made to police and another inmate. A witness also said he bought Hall’s shoes from Mickens after the killing. Mickens was arrested on April 4, 1992. In 1993, he was convicted of capital murder during or after attempted forcible sodomy and was sentenced to death.
His case went through several appeals. His first death sentence was overturned because the jury had not been properly instructed about parole ineligibility, but a second jury also sentenced him to death.
Mickens later argued that his trial lawyer had a conflict of interest because the lawyer had previously represented the victim in another case. The U.S. Supreme Court reviewed the issue but ruled against him in 2002. After clemency was denied, Walter Mickens Jr. was executed by lethal injection in Virginia on June 12, 2002.
