death penalty reinstated for deputy’s killer

Feb 27

Posted by: Rachel in: blog, family, justice

From 1995…

This deputy was my cousin. I was only 13 at the time. Sometimes it feels like another lifetime ago. Some days, like the day the overturned the death penalty earlier last year, it feels like yesterday.

The Georgia Supreme Court reinstated Monday the death penalty against a man convicted in 1997 of killing a Baldwin County sheriff’s deputy.

Robert Wayne Holsey, now 41, is back on death row for the 1995 killing of 26-year-old deputy William Robinson IV.

Sheriff Bill Massee said he is pleased with the decision and that Robinson’s murder had a huge impact on the community.

“It was a very personal case with everyone involved,” Massee said. “Everyone in the community has watched this case closely.”

Robinson was killed in December 1995 while trying to arrest Holsey
in connection with an armed robbery. Holsey was found guilty and
sentenced to death in 1997.

Last May, Superior Court Judge Neal Dickert of the Augusta Judicial
Circuit overturned the death sentence, citing ineffective defense
counsel. The judge ruled that Holsey’s defense did not go far enough in
detailing his troubled family background or mental health issues before
the jury.

In the appeal, evidence was submitted about the defendant’s “limited
intelligence, his troubled and abusive home life, his positive
contributions at home and elsewhere, and his mother’s and sister’s
mental health issues.”

But in a unanimous decision released Monday, the state’s high court
ruled that the additional information wouldn’t have made a significant
difference in the case.

Frank Robinson, William Robinson’s brother, said he was ecstatic
about the reinstatement of the death penalty for Holsey. He said
waiting for a resolution in the case has been difficult, but not as
difficult as not having his brother around.

“He was an all-American guy, I guess, smart, fun to be around. He was a good friend and a good brother,” Frank Robinson said.

Massee said William Robinson’s death was like the unexpected loss of a family member.

“The loss is not only immediate, but it is a continuing loss,” he said.

Fred Bright, the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit district attorney, said
if the Georgia Supreme Court had not reinstated the death penalty, his
office would have retried the case.

Holsey can file several other appeals, which could take years to
resolve, said Russ Willard, spokesman for the state Attorney General’s
Office.

The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
To contact Tim Sturrock, call 744-4347.

William Edward Robinson IV

Here we are 11 years later. Our justice system is working. Snail’s pace, but it is working.
http://www.willrobinson47.com/

Comments

One Response to “death penalty reinstated for deputy’s killer”

stephanie
October 29th, 2007 9:48 pm

Holsey’s death penalty reinstatement was euphoric for those of us seeking justice. It wont bring Will back to us, but it will sure make me feel better. Wouldnt it be great if it could bring him back?

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