WANDA JEAN ALLEN FACES EXECUTION
Oklahoma's death-row double standard
By Elijah
Crane
Wanda Jean Allen, an African American lesbian, is scheduled
to be executed in Oklahoma on Jan. 11, 2001, for the shooting
death of Gloria Leathers, her partner of more than two years.
Allen's appeals are exhausted and her last hope is a
recommendation from the state Pardon and Parole Board to Gov.
Frank Keating.
Allen and Leathers met in prison when Allen was doing time
for a previous alleged manslaughter. The system was already
against them. Their relationship was violent. Many police
reports had been made throughout their time together attesting
to this fact.
On Dec. 1, 1988, the two women had an argument over a
welfare check at a grocery store. Leathers threatened to leave
the relationship. Leathers, accompanied by her mother and the
Oklahoma City Police, went to the couple's apartment to collect
her property. The women argued and the cops left to deal with
something that was apparently more urgent than a lesbian
domestic dispute.
According to Allen, Leathers beat her with a rake once the
cops were gone. Photos taken five days after the incident show
marks on Allen's face, supporting her allegation. Leathers fled
the scene and went to the police station to file a complaint
against Allen over a property dispute. Allen followed her
there, they argued and then Allen shot Leathers. Four days
later, Leathers died.
Allen's supporters say the racist, anti-gay cops concocted a
story to refute her accusation of assault by Leathers, negating
her claim of self-defense. The cops and the court claimed the
killing was premeditated.
In an unusual ruling for a domestic violence case, Allen was
convicted of first-degree murder, a capital offense, making her
eligible for a death sentence by U.S. standards.
Anti-gay double standard
"There are people killed all the time when there are spousal
problems in a relationship," said Joann Bell of the Oklahoma
American Civil Liberties Union, "and usually that is never the
basis for a capital [murder] case."
Bell also explained, "In these parts you can get someone
convicted quicker if they are gay or lesbian than if they're
heterosexual, because everything is Bible-based." (New York
Blade, Dec. 8)
Allen's original lawyer was not able to admit into evidence
that she had an IQ of 69 at age 15 and suffers neurological
problems.
Steve Presson, one of two attorneys handling Allen's appeal,
told the Tulsa World: "In this case, the state district court
forced her to be represented by an attorney not being paid and
then forced the attorney to trial without giving him the
tools--no experts, doctors or investigators. No one discovered
she was [mentally disabled] until the trial and appeals were
over. By that time, it is too late."
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review the case. Allen's
only hope is if the state Pardon and Parole Board recommends
that Gov. Frank Keating commute her sentence. The Board is
scheduled to meet and hear Allen's case on Dec. 15. Allen will
speak in front of the board along with her attorneys, Presson
and Robert Jackson.
However, the Pardon and Parole Board can only make the
recommendation; the governor has the final word.
Keating: friend of Governor Death
Governor Death himself, George W. Bush, is considering
Keating for the position of U.S. attorney should he be named
president. Bush has sent more than 145 people to the death
chamber in Texas, tipping the odds of Keating granting a pardon
far out of Allenfavor if he is to win the affection of
executioner Bush. Under Keating's watch, 27 people have been
executed in Oklahoma since 1994.
Many national lesbian, gay, bi and trans organizations, as
well as anti-death penalty forces, have rallied in support of
Allen. The fact remains that she wound up on death row because
she is poor, Black, a lesbian, and mentally disabled.
Had she been involved in a heated struggle with her abusive
husband over their stocks and bonds or summer cottage instead
of with her lesbian lover over a welfare check when she pulled
the trigger, she would never have seen a death-row cell.
When the ruling class is left to determine the fate of the
oppressed and the working class, the prisons will always be
filled with the poorest of the poor and the most oppressed.
The way to liberation is through a unified mass movement.
That's why anti-racist and anti-death penalty forces will be
standing shoulder to shoulder with lesbian, gay, bi and trans
activists in Washington on Jan. 20 to tell the next president
to end the racist death penalty once and for all.
Organizers are also asking that people call Keating and tell
him not to murder Wanda Allen. The number is 405-521-2342
This article is copyright under a Creative
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