William Minnick

Case record: William Minnick

Background

William Minnick was convicted of Murder, Rape, and Robbery following the death of his wife, Martha, in Greencastle. The proceedings included direct appeals, post-conviction relief, and federal habeas litigation concerning the death sentence.

Minnick’s conviction and death sentence were subject to reversals and vacaturs connected to improper admission of a confession and to sentencing in circumstances described as violating the equal protection clause.

The offence

Payne returned to his home in Greencastle and found the body of his wife, Martha, on the bedroom floor.

Martha had been raped, anally sodomized, and stabbed in the shoulder/back area, which caused her death. There were also ligature marks on her neck, and burns on her ankles indicating an attempt at electrocution.

Among other things, a jugful of coins was taken.

Investigation

Minnick’s car was observed in the area near the time of death.

A hair on an electrical wire recovered from Minnick’s car matched those of the victim.

Minnick was found in possession of coins and broken glass inside a shaving kit.

When confronted, Minnick admitted being at the victim’s home earlier in the day, but only to ask if she needed work done.

A more incriminating statement made later was admitted at the first trial in violation of Edwards / Miranda. That admission was the basis for reversal on appeal.

Minnick’s girlfriend testified that Minnick told her that "Ace" killed the woman, but that he had raped her.

Arrest

Minnick’s car was observed near the time of death, and Minnick was confronted with evidence including the hair on an electrical wire and items found in his possession.

Trial

Conviction: Murder, Rape, Robbery; Directed Verdict of Not Guilty on CDC

CDC Sentencing: June 10, 1982 (Death Sentence)

Aggravating Circumstances: b (1) Robbery, Rape Mitigating Circumstances: 18 years old at the time of the murder

Direct Appeal (first set)

Minnick v. State , 467 N.E.2d 754 (Ind. September 7, 1984) Conviction Reversed 5-0 DP Vacated 5-0 (Confession improperly admitted in violation of Edwards / Miranda ) Givan Opinion; Debruler, Prentice, Pivarnik, Hunter concur.

Indiana v. Minnick , 105 S. Ct. 3512 (1985) (Cert. denied)

On remand / second trial

Trial was venued to Lawrence County.

Minnick was again convicted of Murder, Rape (A Felony), and Robbery (A Felony) and sentenced to death by Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Linda Chezem on 10-16-85, despite a jury recommendation against death.

Direct Appeal (second set)

Minnick v. State , 544 N.E.2d 471 (Ind. October 2, 1989) Conviction Affirmed 5-0 DP Affirmed 3-2 Givan Opinion; Shepard, Pivarnik concur; Debruler, Dickson dissent.

Judge Overrides Jury Recommendation against DP

Sentencing

June 10, 1982: Sentenced to death (Death Sentence) with aggravating circumstances including robbery and rape, and mitigating circumstances including that Minnick was 18 years old at the time of the murder.

10-16-85: Sentenced to death by Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Linda Chezem despite a jury recommendation against death, following a remand and second conviction.

Appeals

Post-conviction relief (PCR)

Habeas: Petition filed; Judge Allen Sharp (stayed pending outcome of PCR).

PCR: PCR Petition filed 06-03-92. PCR denied 06-13-95 by Judge Richard D. McIntyre.

Minnick v. State , 698 N.E.2d 745 (Ind. 1998) (Appeal of PCR denial by Judge Richard McIntyre) Affirmed 4-1 Dickson Opinion; Shepard, Selby, Boehm concur. Sullivan dissents.

Minnick v. State , 705 N.E.2d 179 (Ind. 1999) (Rehearing denied 4-1)

Minnick v. Indiana , 120 S.Ct. 501 (1999) (Cert. denied).

Remand for successive PCR authorized

07-28-04: The Indiana Supreme Court remanded William Minnick's case back to the Lawrence Circuit Court, authorizing the filing of a successive post-conviction relief petition, to consider arguments for resentencing in light of Saylor v. State. The post-conviction court was directed to first determine competency.

12-01-04: Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Richard D. McIntyre, Sr. granted PCR.

The death sentence was described as “inappropriate,” and it stated that under current statute, Judge must sentence in accordance with jury verdict. It also stated that the parties agreed that Minnick was not competent at this time. It stated that at resentencing Minnick faced a maximum of 160 years imprisonment, but it had been continued until such time as the trial court finds him competent following treatment by the FSSA Division of Mental Health.

Federal habeas

Habeas: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed 09-08-99 in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana.

Granted as to death sentence 08-22-00 by U.S. District Court Judge Allen Sharp.

Minnick v. Anderson , 151 F.Supp.2d 1015 (N.D. Ind. August 22, 2000). (Granting Habeas Writ as to death sentence only, conditioned upon resentencing to “imprisonment during his natural life without parole.” - Imposition of death sentence in the face of a contrary jury recommendation violated equal protection clause)

03-25-02, 03-26-02, 04-10-02: Sanity Hearing as Ordered by 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

04-24-02: Guardian Ad Litem appointed for Minnick

07-01-02: 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals relieves lawyers of authority to represent Minnick

08-25-04: Petitioner’s Motion to Stay Proceedings granted (to pursue state PCR)

AWAITING RESENTENCING IN THE LAWRENCE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

Timeline

• June 10, 1982 — CDC Sentencing: death sentence imposed (Death Sentence)
• September 7, 1984 — Minnick v. State , 467 N.E.2d 754 (Ind.): Conviction reversed; DP vacated 5-0
• 1985 — Indiana v. Minnick , 105 S. Ct. 3512 (Cert. denied)
• 10-16-85 — Lawrence Circuit Court resentencing: death sentence imposed by Judge Linda Chezem despite jury recommendation against death
• October 2, 1989 — Minnick v. State , 544 N.E.2d 471 (Ind.): Conviction affirmed 5-0; DP affirmed 3-2
• 06-03-92 — PCR Petition filed
• 06-13-95 — PCR denied by Judge Richard D. McIntyre
• 1998 — Minnick v. State , 698 N.E.2d 745 (Ind.): Affirmed 4-1
• 1999 — Minnick v. State , 705 N.E.2d 179 (Ind.): Rehearing denied 4-1
• 1999 — Minnick v. Indiana , 120 S.Ct. 501 (Cert. denied)
• 09-08-99 — Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed in U.S.
• 08-22-00 — Habeas granted as to death sentence by U.S.
• 03-25-02 — Sanity Hearing as Ordered by 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
• 03-26-02 — Sanity Hearing as Ordered by 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
• 04-10-02 — Sanity Hearing as Ordered by 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
• 04-24-02 — Guardian Ad Litem appointed for Minnick
• 07-01-02 — 7th Circuit U.S.
• 07-28-04 — Indiana Supreme Court remanded for successive PCR to consider resentencing arguments in light of Saylor v. State
• 12-01-04 — Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Richard D. McIntyre, Sr. granted PCR
• 08-25-04 — Petitioner’s Motion to Stay Proceedings granted (to pursue state PCR)

Outcome

The conviction was reversed and the death penalty vacated based on improper admission of a confession violating Edwards / Miranda.

On remand, Minnick was again convicted of Murder, Rape (A Felony), and Robbery (A Felony) and sentenced to death.

Later post-conviction relief and rehearing outcomes affirmed the denial of PCR.

Federal habeas relief was granted as to the death sentence only, with conditions described as requiring resentencing to “imprisonment during his natural life without parole,” and a subsequent remand authorized