The son of an Alabama father of seven who was fatally shot while withdrawing money from an ATM says the family has already forgiven the death row inmate scheduled to be executed Thursday for the murder.
Keith Edmund Gavin, 64, will be the third inmate executed in Alabama this year and the 10th nationwide if his lethal injection proceeds as planned on Thursday. He was found guilty in the 1998 killing of 68-year-old William Clinton Clayton, Jr., described as a loving father and a “gentle giant,” according to his son, Matt Joseph Clayton, in an interview with USA TODAY this week.
Matt Clayton, who was 28 years old when his father was fatally shot, expressed his disbelief at the way his father’s life ended, saying, “I don’t think anyone expected this to happen, especially not his family. It was a shocking and heartbreaking moment for all of us.”
With Gavin’s execution on the horizon, USA TODAY takes a moment to reflect on the crime and the individual behind it, William Clayton.
Who was William Clinton Clayton, Jr.?
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Bill Clayton hailed from Clay, Alabama and worked as a contract courier for Corporate Express Delivery Systems, Inc.
Matt Clayton fondly remembers Bill as a “gentle giant” despite his towering 6 feet, 6 inches height and 280-pound frame.
Clayton holds onto a cherished memory of his father’s unwavering dedication to providing for his family of seven children and wife of 38 years. He recalls with admiration the persistent hard work his father put in to ensure their well-being.
According to Clayton, the man’s work schedule consisted of 14-hour workdays, starting at 5 in the morning and ending at 8 in the evening from Monday to Friday. He would also work for 10 hours on Saturdays. Clayton stated that work was the only thing the man knew and dedicated himself to it tirelessly.
According to his son, William Clayton did not complete high school and went on to work in various unskilled professions such as custodial work, railroad work, and different driving-related jobs. He faced challenges due to his learning disabilities, and he was known to be a straightforward person.
According to Matt Clayton, his 94-year-old mother is currently living independently and is in excellent health. He further added that she is very energetic and full of life.
He expressed his gratitude for having her in his life for such a long time, especially since his father was absent when he was younger. “It’s truly been a blessing,” he said.
What happened to Bill Clayton?
Clayton was getting ready to treat his wife of 38 years to a dinner on March 6, 1998. As he drove his Corporate Express Delivery Systems van, he made a stop at Regions Bank located in downtown Centre to withdraw some cash from the ATM for their date night.
According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY, Gavin had traveled from his hometown of Chicago to the region with his cousin, Dewayne Meeks, in search of a woman he had met previously. As Clayton was using the ATM in downtown Centre, Gavin and Meeks arrived at the scene.
During the trial, Danny Smith, an investigator from the local district attorney’s office, gave testimony stating that he was in the vicinity when he received a radio alert about a shooting involving a white van. He then observed the van driving recklessly and at high speed, which matched the description of the vehicle involved in the incident.
In November 6, 1999, Gavin was found guilty of committing capital murder, primarily due to the eyewitness testimony of Meeks.
Keith Edmund Gavin has shown a ‘lack of remorse’
Despite being convicted and sentenced to death, Gavin has consistently denied any involvement in the shooting of Clayton. He has filed multiple appeals in an effort to clear his name.
Although the family has pardoned Gavin, Matt Clayton expressed his belief that he has not demonstrated sufficient remorse for the loss of his victims’ lives.
According to him, Gavin’s background played a significant role in the family’s decision to forgive him. He explained that Gavin was born into poverty and grew up in an environment plagued with crime.
“He said that as we witness the distressing events that occurred throughout Mr. Gavin’s life, it’s possible that he was introduced to gang violence at a young age, much like many other youth who grew up without positive male figures in their lives.”
“It’s truly sad to think about this person,” he added.
According to him, the individual in question is nearing the end of his life, and unfortunately, he has spent the majority of it behind bars. In fact, a considerable portion of his time has been spent on death row.
According to Matt Clayton, he is pleased that Gavin was able to receive the necessary legal representation and benefit from the criminal justice system through a series of appeals.
Matt Clayton expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the criminal justice system is available to all individuals, stating, “The criminal justice system is there for everyone and I’m certainly pleased that all citizens are well-served.”
As Gavin’s execution date approaches, Clayton, who is currently 54 years old, has decided to attend the event at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. His main reason for attending is to show support for his family and acknowledge the efforts of the state officials who worked tirelessly to bring Gavin to justice.
He stated that no one desires to witness an execution, and he agrees with that sentiment. However, he emphasized that he does not have the option to abstain from attending due to the effort that has been invested in the matter.