Clarence Edward Hill
January 24, 2006
Florida
Clarence Edward Hill, a black man, faces execution in Florida for the murder of a police officer during a robbery in Pensacola, Florida. Hill and his accomplice Cliff Jackson stole a car and a gun and then attempted to rob a savings and loan association. When officers arrived, Jackson ran out the front door and was apprehended, while Hill ran out the back. Hill then came to the front of the building to shoot the officers that were subduing Jackson.
Hill was 23 at the time and there is evidence to suggest that Jackson masterminded the crime. Regardless of this evidence, Jackson was able to plea bargain for a life sentence while Hill received a death sentence. There is also evidence to suggest that Hill was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crime.
Furthermore, evidence and testimony show that Hill was known by his neighbors and family to be a caring and nonviolent person and that he had a trouble free-history throughout his years in school and in the neighborhood where he lived. In addition, Hill held a steady job from ninth grade until he became involved with drugs at age 23. Hill used money from work to help support his large family of 14 children. He also contributed time to helping raise his younger siblings. Also, although Hill remained in school until the 12th grade he never progressed beyond a fifth-grade reading level.
Clearly Hill is not the worst of the worst and therefore the death penalty is not appropriate for Clarence Edward Hill.
