On Tuesday of this week, an execution date was set for the individual convicted in the 1987 shooting death of a convenience store clerk in Sylacauga. William Ernest Kuenzel has been on Alabama’s Death Row in the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore since his conviction in 1988. In an eight-to-one decision – the court set the execution date for March 19th of next year (2015).
Kuenzel was sentenced to death by the judge in the case; that, following a recommendation by a Talladega County jury calling for the death penalty.
His defense team requested a hearing in 2012 – citing new evidence which suggested that a roommate of Kuenzel’s, Harvey Venn – owned a shotgun which could have been used in the killing of store clerk Linda Offord – and that Kuenzel may not have been at the crime scene.
Venn ultimately pled guilty to a lesser charge and testified against Kuenzel at trial.
The request for an appeal was denied by the 11th Circuit.
Kuenzel’s legal team is expected to challenge the order setting the execution date.
(al.com/www.al.com)
