Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 25, 1994 TAG: 9404250118
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG LENGTH: Medium
But on Wednesday, William and Josephine Dudley of Lynchburg will watch the clock, waiting for a news broadcast or a phone call to tell them that Timothy W. Spencer has been electrocuted.
"We didn't think we'd live to see it," said Josephine Dudley, 68.
"We're not young people, so we just didn't know," said her 69-year-old husband, finishing her thought.
The Dudleys debated going to Spencer's execution - but not that seriously.
"People ask you, `If he's electrocuted, are you going down to see it?' " William Dudley said. "It wasn't hard to make up our minds. We just didn't think it was necessary. Just give me the news, that's all I need."
"I've dreamt about him enough," Josephine Dudley said. "I didn't need to see him anymore."
Spencer was sentenced to death four times for the rape and murder of four women in 1987 - two in Richmond and one each in Chesterfield and Arlington counties. His execution, scheduled for 11 p.m., is for the murder of Davis, 35.
Her parents say they just want to remember Debbie. They say some people tell them they should forget her, and others appear uncomfortable when they boast about their daughter's accomplishments.
The Dudleys haven't forgotten her, and the proof is scattered throughout their house - the one in which they've lived for more than 40 years and in which Debbie grew up from the age of 6 months.
Hanging above the floral sofa in the living room is a painting of Debbie made after her death from a photograph. Debbie's needlepoint, signed with a "Dd," hangs on walls throughout the house, including the piece she intended to give her parents as a Christmas present in 1987.
Ever since the Dudleys found out Spencer was to die Wednesday, they've been waiting for the bombardment of appeals and requested postponements that usually accompany an execution.
"They're going to try everything they can do for one last-ditch effort," Dudley said. "But I'm not worried because I don't think it will work out."
Spencer was convicted on all four counts of capital murder largely on the basis of DNA test results. He was the first capital murder defendant convicted and sentenced to death on the basis of the genetic evidence.
"We didn't know why God chose Debbie, but some good came out of the fact that DNA was proven to be a weapon against crime," Dudley said.
Attorneys for Spencer on Friday filed an appeal with the Virginia Supreme Court seeking retesting of the DNA evidence.
The Dudleys say they have no qualms about wanting Spencer to die.
"It's often hard for someone to make a statement about the death penalty or forgiveness - unless it happens to them," Dudley said. "If you should do a real heinous crime, you should be executed."
Almost six years ago when Spencer was sentenced to death, Dudley said the whole tragedy had "come full circle."
But he admits now that wasn't so and it probably won't be until Spencer is executed - whether that's Wednesday or years from now.
by CNB