Bio

William Van Poyck was born on July 4, 1954, in Florida. He grew up in a typical American family during the 1960s and 70s. His early life remains mostly private, with limited information available about his childhood and family background. He was the son of an executive at Eastern Airlines, which might have influenced some aspects of his life.

Van Poyck faced challenges in his teenage years. He became involved with various groups and began to have trouble with the law. His behavior increasingly led him toward a life of crime. He was arrested multiple times during his youth for minor offenses.

As he grew older, Van Poyck continued to make poor choices. His decisions eventually led him to prison, where he spent time serving sentences for various crimes. It was during his time in prison that he formed bonds with other inmates. One significant relationship he developed was with Frank Valdes, an inmate who would later become his accomplice in a high-profile crime.

Despite his legal troubles, Van Poyck had an interest in writing. He later used this interest as an outlet during his time in prison. His experiences and thoughts on life influenced his writing once he found himself on death row. He published three books and maintained a blog to share his insights and experiences.

Van Poyck's life took a dramatic turn in the late 1980s, which led to his downfall and eventual execution. His story reflects the struggles of someone who faced a series of life choices that ultimately changed his path forever.

Murder Story

On June 24, 1987, William Van Poyck and his accomplice, Frank Valdes, attempted to ambush a prison transport van in West Palm Beach, Florida. They aimed to free an inmate named James O'Brien, who was being taken to a medical appointment. During the ambush, corrections officer Fred Griffis was shot. Griffis had secured the van's keys and threw them into the bushes to prevent the escape. Despite this effort, he was killed when Van Poyck and Valdes fired shots at the guards.

After the shooting, Van Poyck and Valdes fled the scene in a Cadillac. They engaged in a car chase with the police during which Van Poyck fired at the pursuing vehicles. The chase ended when Valdes lost control of the car, crashing into a tree. Both men were quickly arrested, and police recovered several firearms from their vehicle, including the service weapon of the slain officer.

Van Poyck was charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder. During his trial, he claimed that he was not the one who fired the fatal shots, but he admitted to planning the escape. The jury found him guilty on several counts, leading to a recommendation for the death penalty. He was sentenced to death on December 21, 1988.

After spending over two decades on death row, Van Poyck's appeals were repeatedly denied. His final execution took place on June 12, 2013, by lethal injection. In his last moments, he stated, "Set me free."