Bio

Willie G. Sullivan was born on July 17, 1972. He grew up in the United States. From an early age, Willie faced challenges that affected his life. He was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. This condition happened because his mother drank alcohol during her pregnancy. As a result, he had a lower IQ, which was measured at 70.

Willie's childhood was difficult. His mother struggled with alcoholism and continued to drink while he was growing up. This problem influenced his upbringing and could have impacted his behavior and development. There is not much information about his early education or his relationships with peers and family.

Willie lived in Kent County, Delaware. It is unclear how he spent most of his early years or what interests he had outside of family. However, as he grew older, he seemed to have difficulty finding stable work and direction in life.

Murder Story

On December 27, 1991, Willie G. Sullivan committed the murder of Maurice W. Dodd, who was 78 years old. Sullivan lured Dodd into a greenhouse. Once inside, he used a metal ice scoop to hit Dodd before stabbing him ten times. After the stabbing, Sullivan threw a concrete block on Dodd's chest while he lay on the ground.

Sullivan then took $300 from Dodd's pockets and went to Dodd's home. There, he found more money and took the victim's car key. Sullivan used Dodd's car to drive around with friends and spent the money he had stolen on items like sneakers and a Walkman.

A few days later, Sullivan abandoned the car. Police found it soon after. The investigation led detectives to Sullivan, who was arrested on January 3, 1992, near the Maryland and Delaware border. Initially, Sullivan said he acted alone in the murder. However, he later changed his story and tried to blame someone else.

Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on December 2, 1992, and his case did not go to trial. A jury in Kent County voted 9-3 to sentence him to death. Superior Court Judge Henry duPont Ridgely agreed with the jury's decision and ordered Sullivan to be executed by lethal injection.

Sullivan spent nearly seven years appealing his sentence, but his requests were denied. He was executed on September 24, 1999, becoming the tenth person to be put to death in Delaware since the state resumed capital punishment.