Rally Against Execution of Khalilullah: New Evidence Emerges
In a dramatic turn of events just days before the scheduled execution of Khalil Divine Black Sunullah, also known as Khalilullah, a rally was held by a priest and church activists demanding justice for the US citizen. Khalilullah, convicted for the 1997 armed robbery and murder of convenience store cashier Erin Graves, has long maintained his innocence. The case has drawn renewed attention after the prosecution's main witness retracted his testimony, claiming he had lied during the trial due to fear and manipulation by law enforcement.
The witness, Steven Golden, who was charged alongside Khalilullah, filed an affidavit stating that Khalilullah “was not the person who shot Erin Graves” and that he “was not present” during the robbery. This shocking admission raises serious questions about the integrity of the original trial, where no forensic evidence linked Khalilullah to the crime. Golden's testimony had been pivotal in the conviction, but he now claims he was coerced into implicating Khalilullah in exchange for leniency in his own sentencing.
Rev. Hillary Taylor, the executive director of an anti-death penalty organization, expressed grave concerns about the impending execution, labeling it a “gross miscarriage of justice.” She emphasized that Khalilullah should not face death due to errors made by others in the judicial process. The rally aimed to draw public attention to the flaws in the case and to advocate for Khalilullah's clemency as his legal team continues to fight against the execution.
As the clock ticks down to the scheduled execution, Khalilullah's defense lawyers are working tirelessly to present this new evidence to the courts, arguing that it undermines the foundation of his conviction. The Attorney General's Office has dismissed Golden’s retraction as unreliable, insisting that his past statements contradict his current claims. This case raises important questions about the reliability of witness testimony in capital cases and the potential for wrongful executions in the United States.
