Posted on 01/12/2006 3:03:01 AM PST by Former Military Chick
By any measure, condemned inmate Clarence Ray Allen has lived a double life, confounding the people who have known him as a kind man and those who have experienced his cruelty.
The former warehouse manager served as a church deacon, raised two boys, and became a successful business owner in Fresno. But in his 40s, he embarked on a violent crime spree with a gang of misfits. One thing led to another, including murder -- and then, three additional murders.
Allen is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at San Quentin State Prison, one day after his 76th birthday. If executed, he will be among the oldest prisoners ever put to death in the United States.
Police, prosecutors, judges and the families of Allen's victims describe him as a criminal mastermind, a vicious, unrepentant killer who relied on others to do his dirty work. He was convicted of orchestrating a triple homicide in 1980 at a Fresno market from his cell at Folsom Prison, where he was already serving a life sentence for murder. One of the people Allen ordered killed had testified against him in a previous trial.
Allen's friends and family say he's a sentimental, kind-hearted soul who provided shelter and jobs to those in need, donated uniforms to the Little League and supported 4-H Club youth activities. They say that before Allen was imprisoned in 1977, he was a considerate boss, a devoted father and someone who picked up restaurant tabs and purchased furniture sets for his friends.
From his early days, however, there was another thread to Allen -- one that showed itself in acts of petty thievery as a young adult and grew into something darker in middle age.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"These were just kids. All the officers at the scene were very shaken."
This is a very long article. It is however quite comprehensive. Offering the good/bad/ugly.
At least this writer shares the names of the victims often omitted.
- - - - - -
Allen's lawyers say there is a "lingering question of his innocence,'' arguing that the bulk of evidence against him came from informants who were given favorable treatment by prosecutors.
PING
Yes, they were all young. Even the first girl he had murdered that he only got a life sentence for.
"Ray Allen, 75, didn't turn really bad until his 40s"
OH!..I hadn't realized that he was only bad for about half his life. Maybe we should execute only half of him. The top half might be best.
murderer Ray Allen, 75, didn't turn really bad until his 40s
------Who the hell cares? He is a murderer.
Three young people had just been executed at close range with a shotgun. ... There was a lot of blood, pools of blood.
"These were just kids. All the officers at the scene were very shaken."
----Tragic. My sympathies lie with the victims. He had no regard for his victims lives , so he should not get any sympathy.
gee...it's only Thursday...Canna we wait 'til some 11th Hour before Tuesday...and then spike him.
Think the Mountain Dew commercial and "Anticipation" except "Do the Due"....
His story is reminiscent of the lives of some of the killers during the depression era. Some people tried to make heroes out of some of them. But, no matter how much supposed good they did, they weren't executed or killed for being good, they were killers, just as he is. He should show that he is a man and stop sniveling and just let them get it over with.
Maybe he can leave those sun glasses to Mike Farrell.
Thanks for the article. That's the most comprehensive story about Allen's victims and about him that I have read so far.
From the looks of it, the guy was a sociopath from the beginning, his crimes growing ever more serious as he matured into a hardened criminal. Any help he may have thrown to people in his community, he must have been snickering up his sleeve at the accolades received from admirers, as it only camouflaged the true Clarence Ray Allen. Betcha he felt a lot of pride in carrying that off for so long.
That would be a nice touch.
Aha! A late bloomer. It's wonderful that a person can grow and learn new talents like murder at a time when most folks are settling into a stable life.
Cry me a river. 'Lingering doubts' over the slaughter of witnesses and attempts to take out more? Let's just get a twofer here - Don't spend money on medical treatment and get rid of this scum.
You're probably right. Sociopaths can be intelligent and they know how to play the game. They will do charitable acts in order to get something in return, but they do it without any real emotion.
After reading this article and carefully considering all the facts, including Mr. Allen's age, frail health and the lack of impact his execution will have on society, I remain convinced that he should be put to death.
Yeah. Intelligent and calculating.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.