Percy Levar Walton facts for kids

Percy Levar Walton, born on October 18, 1978, was found guilty in 1997 of a serious crime in Danville, Virginia. He was sentenced to death.

A Governor's Important Decision

Scheduled Execution and a Delay

Percy Walton was set to be executed on June 8, 2006. However, just one hour before this was to happen, the governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, stopped the execution. A governor is the elected leader of a state, similar to a president for a country. Governor Kaine ordered a special mental health check for Walton. This check was to see if Walton understood his punishment and why he was receiving it.

Reports about Walton's intelligence varied. Some said his IQ (a measure of intelligence) was very low, around 66. Other reports from before he turned 18 suggested his IQ was 90.

Why the Governor Acted

Governor Kaine explained that it wouldn't be right to either execute Walton or completely free him without more investigation. He wanted the court to look at the results of the mental health checks. If needed, a new execution date would be set for December 9, 2006.

This decision caused some people to criticize Governor Kaine. His political opponents, who ran against him in elections, said he was "soft on crime." This means they thought he wasn't tough enough on criminals and didn't support the death penalty (the punishment of being put to death for a crime) enough.

Sentence Changed to Life in Prison

The State of Virginia later set another execution date for June 10, 2008. But on June 9, 2008, Governor Tim Kaine changed Walton's sentence. This is called a commutation. Instead of the death penalty, Walton's sentence became life in prison without parole. This means he would stay in prison for the rest of his life and would not be released early.

Governor Kaine explained his decision by saying, "one cannot reasonably conclude that Walton is fully aware of the punishment he is about to suffer and why he is to suffer it." This meant he believed Walton's mental state prevented him from truly understanding his situation.

Life in a Special Facility

After his sentence was changed, Percy Walton was moved to the Marion Treatment Center. This is a special facility run by the Virginia Department of Corrections. It is designed to help inmates who have mental health issues.

His attorney, Jennifer Givens, said that Percy Walton is "extremely mentally ill and profoundly impaired." She believed the governor made a good and kind decision by changing his sentence.

As of 2023, Percy Levar Walton is living at the Greensville Correctional Center.