May date set for Richmond double murderer's execution

A Richmond man convicted of killing two men in separate shootings is scheduled to be executed May 20.

Darick Demorris Walker, 37, was convicted of killing Stanley Beale in 1996 and Clarence Elwood Threat in 1997. Virginia law allows the death penalty for anyone who commits two premeditated murders within three years.

According to testimony, Walker broke into Beale's apartment on Nov. 22, 1996, pointed a gun at Beale and asked, “What you keep coming up to my door? What you looking for me for?” Beale said he didn't know Walker, and Walker shot him three times as his 13-year-old daughter watched.

In the other shooting, the victim's girlfriend said she turned down a date invitation from Walker, who burst into her home on June 18, 1997, and shot Threat seven times.

Walker's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

Walker has claimed that the prosecution failed to disclose police reports casting doubt on the eyewitness testimony of Beale's 13-year-old daughter.

In a separate appeal, he also claimed that he was mentally disabled, which would make him ineligible for the death penalty.

The court rejected both those claims. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court refused to reconsider Walker's case.

The Richmond Circuit Court set the execution date on Friday.

According to testimony, Walker broke into Beale's apartment on Nov. 22, 1996, pointed a gun at Beale and asked, “What you keep coming up to my door? What you looking for me for?” Beale said he didn't know Walker, and Walker shot him three times as his 13-year-old daughter watched.

In the other shooting, the victim's girlfriend said she turned down a date invitation from Walker, who burst into her home on June 18, 1997, and shot Threat seven times.

Walker's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

Walker has claimed that the prosecution failed to disclose police reports casting doubt on the eyewitness testimony of Beale's 13-year-old daughter.

In a separate appeal, he also claimed that he was mentally disabled, which would make him ineligible for the death penalty.

The court rejected both those claims. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court refused to reconsider Walker's case.

The Richmond Circuit Court set the execution date on Friday.

Since the United States reinstated the dealth penalty in 1976, Virginia has put 105 men to death. The 106th execution occurred March 18 when Paul Warner Powell, found guilty of killing a Manassas girl and then raping her sister, faced the electric chair. The Post has built a database of Viginia executions.

This item has been updated since it was first published.

-- Associated Press