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David Kevin Hocker
September 30, 6 PM CST
The state of Alabama is scheduled to execute David Kevin Hocker, a 33-year-old white man, Sept. 30 for the 1998 murder and robbery of his boss, Jerry Wayne Robinson of Houston County. Hocker’s capital murder conviction appeal was rejected in April 2002 by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Hocker has waived his right to further appeals. At the time of the crime, Hocker, who was living in a motel and did not have a car, asked Robinson to drive him to run an errand in neighboring Henry County where he stabbed and beat him to death. Hocker then stole Robinson’s debit card and withdrew $400 which he later used to purchase cocaine. Hocker was later observed driving Robinson’s truck and was consequently arrested two days after the murder. Following the arrest, Hocker led investigators to Robinson's body in a wooded area in Headland.
I would like to express my sympathies to the loved ones of Mr. Jerry Wayne Robinson. However, despite the gruesome nature of this murder and David Hocker’s request for execution, I do not support Mr. Hocker’s execution. I ask that you support legislation that would put an end to capital punishment in Alabama including those circumstances in which the inmate requests his own execution. I adamantly oppose the state’s participation in this state-assisted suicideHocker’s case is somewhat unusual because he has elected not to continue the appeals process. According to Assistant Alabama Attorney General Clay Crenshaw, Hocker has consistently refused an attorney and the opportunity to appeal his sentence. His decision was supported by District Attorney Doug Valeska who said, “Hocker is guilty. He is ready to take his punishment and man enough to do it.” Valeska also stated Hocker’s case shows the death penalty is a deterrent when the appeals process isn’t dragged out for 20 years. Proponents of the death penalty claim it is a deterrent. However, given that Hocker is “volunteering” to be executed, it is difficult to imagine how the deterrence argument applies.
Hocker’s case is somewhat unusual because he has elected not to continue the appeals process. According to Assistant Alabama Attorney General Clay Crenshaw, Hocker has consistently refused an attorney and the opportunity to appeal his sentence. His decision was supported by District Attorney Doug Valeska who said, “Hocker is guilty. He is ready to take his punishment and man enough to do it.” Valeska also stated Hocker’s case shows the death penalty is a deterrent when the appeals process isn’t dragged out for 20 years. Proponents of the death penalty claim it is a deterrent. However, given that Hocker is “volunteering” to be executed, it is difficult to imagine how the deterrence argument applies.
Hocker, who was physically and mentally abused by his father, who committed suicide when Hocker was 8 years old, is obviously suffereing from mental health issues as he guides the state’s hand in his own suicide.
Please take a moment to write Governor Riley protesting the state’s involvement this suicide-killing!
(Governor Riley does not have a public email address, so please select the fax option below.)
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