Texas Death Row Inmate to Be Executed, Victim’s Sister Requests Clemency

Texas death row inmate William Speer, who faces execution on Oct. 26, 2023, for killing another prisoner more than 26 years ago. Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP

A Texas inmate is facing imminent execution even though the victim’s sister and religious leaders have asked authorities not to take his life. The man is set to receive a lethal injection at the Huntsville state penitentiary on the evening of Oct. 26 for killing another prisoner more than 25 years ago.

William Speer, 49, was condemned for strangling Gary Dickerson to death in July 1997 at the Telford state prison near New Boston in northeast Texas.