A Question of Arson

Controversy in Texas is growing over the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. Willingham was convicted of setting a fire in 1991 that resulted in the death of his three daughters. Since Willingham's execution in 2004 questions have arisen over the methods used to determine the cause of the fire. The methods used to determine the source of the fire in Willingham's conviction have been discredited in the eyes of many arson investigators. Despite the growing controversy, Governor Perry is standing by the conviction and the methods used to secure it.

It was reported that Perry and unnamed others dismiss the controversy by asserting that, even if the methods used to determine the source of the fire were flawed, "there was ample other evidence of Willingham's guilt." Since Willingham is dead, even with the new evidence, or lack thereof, it is unlikely he will appeal his conviction.