Facts of the Crime:
On October 12, 2000, Anderson approached 87-year-old Clara Creech while she was gardening in her yard. Anderson shot Creech in the head and then burglarized Creech’s home. During police questioning, Anderson admitted killing Creech, told police there was no particular reason why he chose to kill Creech, and then led police to the gun he used to kill Creech. Anderson was also found guilty of attempted capital murder for shooting Roger Solvey during a robbery that occurred less than a week before killing Creech.
Anderson’s first death sentence for killing Creech was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court because the jury did not consider mitigating circumstances. The Arkansas verdict form requires the jury to check one of four options regarding mitigating circumstances. The jury selected the option that no mitigating evidence was presented. However, Anderson had presented evidence that his mother was mentally retarded, he was put into the foster care system, and he was abused. Another option the jury could have selected was that the evidence presented was not convincing.
Anderson was sentenced to death on January 31, 2002.
Bookmarks