Ernest Ray Willis (b. c. 1945 - January 7, 2021) was an American man who spent 17 years on death row for murder by arson before being exonerated in 2004.
61-401: Convicted of murder after two women died in a fire in his West Texas home, Willis was sentenced to death in 1987. In 1991, another person confessed to starting the fire, but this could not be corroborated. Subsequent interest in the case led to new investigations into the origin of the fire that determined that there was absolutely no evidence of arson. Willis's conviction was overturned and he
122-658: A Fox affiliate; KPBT-TV , a PBS affiliate; KWWT , a MeTV affiliate; KUPB , a Univision affiliate; and KTLE-LD , a Telemundo affiliate. It also has a religious television station: KMLM-DT , an affiliate of God's Learning Channel , a worldwide institution offering pro-Israel programming. Many major motion pictures have been filmed in and around Midland, including Hangar 18 , Waltz Across Texas , Fandango , Blood Simple , Hard Country , Friday Night Lights , The Rookie , The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada , Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure (which featured, as extras, many participants in
183-641: A 35-court tennis facility named the Bush Tennis Center . Midland is also home to the Midland Mad Dog Rugby Club, which competes in the Texas Rugby Union as a Division III team. According to its 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Midland's various funds had $ 57.3 million in revenues, $ 53.0 million in expenditures, $ 363.4 million in total assets, $ 133.9 million in total liabilities, and $ 75.0 million in cash and investments. Midland
244-537: A Democrat for president since 1948 . The Rolling Plains to the east remained Democratic substantially longer: although Walter Mondale 's 1984 campaign lost Texas by 27.50%, he won three counties in this region. Since 2000, this region swung very rapidly toward the Republican Party due to its population's intransigent opposition to the liberal social policies of the Democratic Party, and by 2016, it had nearly
305-530: A U.S. district judge threw out the conviction, ruling that Willis had been unnecessarily drugged during his trial and that the state suppressed testimony from a psychologist who found that Willis was not dangerous to society. The Texas attorney general and the Pecos County district attorney declined to pursue the case further. The DA said that new investigators labeled the fire's cause as undetermined and could not find any evidence to substantiate an arson case. Willis
366-571: A collection of race cars designed by Jim Hall , a longtime Midland resident who pioneered the use of aerodynamic downforce in Formula One car design. Midland is also home to The Museum of the Southwest. The museum features a collection of paintings by various members of the Taos Society of Artists and Karl Bodmer as well as engravings by John J. and John W. Audubon. Within the same museum complex are
427-537: A fifth vote, but the result was that the three rural commissioners, representing only 3% of the county's population, held a majority of the votes. The Court held that the scheme violated the Fourteenth Amendment 's Equal Protection clause . A dissenting minority held that this example of the Warren Court's policy of incorporation at the local-government level exceeded its constitutional authority. Midland
488-725: A new water system. Midland was changed significantly by the discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in 1923 when the Santa Rita No. 1 well began producing in Reagan County , followed shortly by the Yates Oil Field in Iraan . Midland became the West Texas oil fields' administrative center. During World War II , it had the nation's largest bombardier training base. A second boom began after
549-523: A polygraph examination. Given that there was only circumstantial evidence, prosecutors were surprised when they were able to secure a capital murder indictment against him. At trial, Willis appeared cold and emotionless, and prosecutors commented to the jury about his demeanor. Willis did not realize that his behavior was abnormal; after his arrest, for reasons that were unclear, he had been started on high doses of antipsychotic medication. These medications can be associated with an apathetic appearance. Willis
610-405: A time of major Permian Basin oil and gas discoveries. The surge in energy prices in the mid-1980s sparked a building boom downtown. For many years, the 22-story Wilco Building in downtown was the tallest building between Fort Worth and Phoenix . Today, the tallest is the 24-story Bank of America Building , at 332 feet (101 m). Four buildings over 500 feet (150 m) tall were planned in
671-834: Is MC's president. Midland is home to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Campus 's physician assistant program, on the MC campus. The entry-level graduate program awards a Master of Physician Assistant Studies following 27 months of intensive academic and clinical training. Twice each year, the Davidson Distinguished Lectures Series at Midland College presents free public lectures by "nationally known speakers whose academic accomplishments, civic leadership, and/or public achievements interest, enrich, and enlighten Midland students and citizens." The series
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#1733085191255732-497: Is also home to four charter schools: Richard Milburn Academy, Premier High School , Texas Leadership Charter Academy, and Midland Academy Charter School. Midland is served by the Midland Reporter-Telegram . Midland is served by nine local television stations: KMID , an ABC affiliate; KWES-TV , an NBC affiliate; KOSA , a CBS affiliate and a MyNetworkTV affiliate on their digital cable TV station; KPEJ-TV ,
793-585: Is home to the McCormick Gallery, inside the Allison Fine Arts Building on the main campus. Throughout the year, exhibits at the McCormick feature works of MC students and faculty, visiting artists, and juried exhibits. The Arts Council of Midland serves as the promotional and public relations vehicle to promote the arts and stimulate community participation and support. The McCormick is also home to
854-427: Is home to three public high schools: Midland High School , Legacy High School and Early College High School (ECHS) at Midland College, all of which are part of MISD. Another school district just outside Midland, Greenwood Independent School District , serves approximately 3,000 students and operates Greenwood High School , James R. Brooks Middle School, Greenwood Intermediate, and Greenwood Elementary. In July 2020
915-544: Is in the Permian Basin in the West Texas plains. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 71.5 square miles (185.2 km ), of which 71.3 square miles (184.7 km ) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km ) (0.28%) is water. Midland has a desert climate ( Köppen BSh or BSk ) with hot summers and cool to mild winters. It occasionally has cold waves during
976-681: Is represented in the US Senate by John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and in the US House of Representatives by August Pfluger . Midland residents are represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Kevin Sparks , District 31. Midland has been represented in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Tom Craddick , the former Speaker from District 82, since 1969. Craddick is the longest serving representative in
1037-856: Is the AA affiliate of the Athletics . The Rockhounds have played their home games in Momentum Bank Ballpark since 2002. West Texas United Sockers is an American soccer team founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference. The team plays its home games at
1098-470: Is the home of Midland College (MC), which offers over 50 programs of study for associate degrees and certificates to more than 6,000 students who enroll each semester. MC offers programs in health sciences, information technology, and aviation, including a professional pilot training program. MC is one of only three community colleges in Texas approved to offer a bachelor's degree in applied technology. Steve Thomas
1159-851: The Chihuahuan Desert and is the aridest part of the state. Another part of West Texas is the Llano Estacado , a vast region of high, level plains extending into Eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle . East of the Llano Estacado lies the “ redbed country ” of the Rolling Plains , and south of the Llano Estacado lies the Edwards Plateau . The Rolling Plains and Edwards Plateau subregions act as transitional zones between eastern and western Texas. West Texas receives much less rainfall than
1220-869: The Grande Communications Stadium . Midland is home to the West Texas Drillers (Adult Tackle Football) of the Minor Professional Football League. They were established in 2009. They play their home games at Grande Communications Stadium. Midland College is a member of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference , and fields teams in baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's golf, softball and volleyball. Midland College has won 20 national championships in sports since 1975, as well as produced 192 All-Americans. Plans have been made to develop
1281-566: The Llano Estacado and near the center of the Permian Basin oil fields, Midland's economy has long been focused on petroleum exploration and extraction. Providing more information about this industry is the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum , on the outskirts of town near Interstate 20. The museum houses numerous displays on the history, science, and technology of oil and gas development. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum houses
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#17330851912551342-477: The Midland, Texas metropolitan statistical area , which includes all of Midland County, the population of which was 169,983 in the 2020 U.S. Census. The metropolitan area is part of the larger Midland–Odessa combined statistical area , which had a population of 340,391 in the 2020 census. Residents of Midland are referred to as 'Midlanders'. Midland was founded as the midway point between Fort Worth and El Paso on
1403-593: The Permian Basin , the highest producing oil field in the United States. This likely inclines the region to support the Republican Party over the Democratic Party , as the latter supports environmentalism and action on climate change . Several counties in the Midland-Odessa area were some of the first parts of Texas to abandon the state's " Solid South " Democratic roots; two counties have not supported
1464-1003: The Texas Tech Red Raiders , and the UTEP Miners . NCAA Division II teams include the West Texas A&;M Buffaloes , the Texas–Permian Basin Falcons , and the Lubbock Christian Chaparrals and Lady Chaps . El Paso hosts the El Paso Chihuahuas , a AAA baseball team, and the El Paso Locomotive FC which plays in the USL Championship , the second tier of the American soccer pyramid . The Midland RockHounds and Amarillo Sod Poodles represent
1525-716: The Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1881. The city has many connections to the Bush family ; it was the onetime home of former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush and the hometown of former First Lady Laura Bush . The George W. Bush Childhood Home is located in Midland. Midland was established in June 1881 as Midway Station, on the Texas and Pacific Railway . Its name came from its central location between Fort Worth and El Paso, but because there were already other towns in Texas named Midway,
1586-498: The defense industry . West Texas has become notable for its numerous wind turbines producing clean and alternative electricity . As of 2018, the West Texan economy was in a prosperous economic period , which has been described as the "West Texas oil boom". While there are no major league teams in the West Texas region, sports fans are faithful to their local high school and college teams. NCAA Division I college teams include
1647-506: The 1980s, including one designed by architect I.M. Pei . The great oil bust of the mid-1980s killed any plans for future skyscrapers. A private development group was planning to build Energy Tower at City Center, which was proposed to be 870 feet tall, with 59 floors (six floors underground and 53 above). If it had been built, it would have been Texas's sixth-tallest building. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 132,524 people, 47,682 households, and 32,632 families residing in
1708-607: The American Southwest at the same time, while the semiarid and desert climates of West Texas are clearly characteristic of the American Southwest . West Texas is often subdivided according to distinct physiographic features. The portion of West Texas that lies west of the Pecos River is often called "Far West Texas" or the " Trans-Pecos ", a term introduced in 1887 by geologist Robert T. Hill . The Trans-Pecos lies within
1769-646: The Children's Museum and the Marian W. Blakemore Planetarium. The Museum of the Southwest is in the Turner Mansion, the historic 1934 home of Fred and Juliette Turner. On display at the Midland County Historical Museum are reproductions of the "Midland Man", the skeleton of a Clovis female found near the city in 1953. Analysis of the remains by Curtis R. McKinney using uranium-thorium analysis showed that
1830-628: The Cole Theatre, and the annual fundraiser Summer Mummers in the Yucca Theatre. MCT is a member of the American Association of Community Theatre, and hosted the 2006 AACT International Theatrefest. Twice each year, the Phyllis and Bob Cowan Performing Arts Series at Midland College presents free cultural and artistic performances. The series was endowed in 1999. Sitting on the southern edge of
1891-544: The High Sky. In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case Avery v. Midland County . Midland mayor Hank Avery had sued Midland County, challenging the electoral-districting scheme in effect for elections to the County Commissioner's Court. The county districts geographically quartered the county, but Midland, in the northwestern quarter, had 97% of the county's population. A judge, elected on an at-large basis, provided
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1952-905: The Midland Independent School District voted to change the name of the former Robert E. Lee High School to Legacy High School in the wake of the George Floyd protests . ECHS welcomed its first freshman class on August 24, 2009. It aims to award students their associate degrees from Midland College by the time they receive their high school diplomas. The portion in Martin County is in the Stanton Independent School District . Midland has many private schools, including Hillcrest School, Hillander, Midland Classical Academy, Midland Christian School, Midland Montessori, St. Ann's School, and Trinity School of Midland. It
2013-518: The Studio 3600 Series, established in 2006 to "spotlight selected art students and provide them the opportunity to exhibit key works that identify the style they have crafted over a period of time." The Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale (MOSC) has performed in the Permian Basin for over 45 years, and is the region's largest orchestral organization, presenting both Pops and Masterworks concerts throughout
2074-477: The United States. Willis considered writing a book about his experiences, but he never did so. Willis and his wife separated in 2007 and he moved to Midland, Texas . In 2012, when the family of executed Texas inmate Cameron Todd Willingham announced that they would attempt to have Willingham posthumously pardoned, Willis attended the press conference in Austin . By that time, he had gotten back together with his wife and
2135-594: The bones are 11,600 ± 800 years old. Presenting his findings at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in 1992, McKinney said, "[T]he Midland Woman was related to the earliest ancestors of every Indian who lives today, and she is very likely the only representative of those who created the Clovis cultures." Midland is home to the Midland RockHounds , a Texas League minor league baseball team. It
2196-511: The boundaries of these regions differently. The historian and geographer Walter Prescott Webb has suggested that the 98th meridian separates East and West Texas; writer A.C. Greene proposed that West Texas extends west of the Brazos River . Use of a single line, though, seems to preclude the use of other separators, such as an area— Central Texas . Texas is part of the American South and
2257-512: The burning house, but the flames had pushed Willis back when he tried to rescue Beleu and Allison. Both women died in the fire. Police became suspicious of Ernest, and they arrested him four months later, charging him with murder. Willis first raised the suspicions of police with his behavior at the scene of the fire. He was smoking as firefighters extinguished the fire, he did not seem to have inhaled much smoke, and his feet were not burned as officers thought they would have been. Later, Willis failed
2318-553: The case among Willis's appeals lawyers, and they worked to confirm the information in Long's story. The crime scene evidence indicated that liquor such as Everclear and Wild Turkey could have been used as accelerants as Long claimed. Long seemed a plausible suspect because he had admitted to starting a mobile home fire in Bay City, Texas . That 1983 blaze resulted in the death of Long's former boss. Willis met his wife, Verilyn Harbin, while he
2379-514: The city changed its name to Midland in January 1884 when it was granted its first post office. Midland became the county seat of Midland County in March 1885, when that county was first organized and separated from Tom Green County . By 1890, it had become one of the state's most important cattle shipping centers. The city was incorporated in 1906, and by 1910 established its first fire department, along with
2440-469: The city has also become a regional telecommunications and distribution center. By August 2006, a busy period of crude oil production had caused a significant workforce deficit. According to the Midland Chamber of Commerce, at that time there were almost 2,000 more jobs available in the Permian Basin than there were workers to fill them. In 1959, John Howard Griffin wrote a history of Midland, Land of
2501-578: The city. The population density was 1,558.9 inhabitants per square mile (601.9/km ). There were 47,562 housing units at an average density of 667.1 per square mile (257.6/km ). Of the 47,682 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were made up of same-sex relationships, non-family habitations, or other habitation arrangements. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who
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2562-472: The execution. As his appeals went by, Willis said that he became depressed and stopped exercising. Willis weighed 185 pounds when he went to prison, and his weight eventually reached 300 pounds. After many years of trying to corroborate Long's story, his confession could not be fully supported by the evidence. However, the interest generated by the confession led to new investigations into the Willis case. In 2004,
2623-519: The history of the Texas House and the longest serving incumbent state legislator in the United States. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the headquarters of Parole Division Region V in Midland; the Midland District Parole Office is in the Region V headquarters. The United States Postal Service operates the Midland Main Post Office on the grounds of Midland International Air and Space Port . The other four post offices are Claydesta, Downtown Midland, Graves, and Village. Midland
2684-419: The influence . Willis had moved to Odessa, Texas , to live with his cousin, Billy Willis. They later moved to the town of Iraan, Texas . On the night of June 10, 1986, Willis and his cousin Billy came home with two women that they had met that day, Betsy Beleu and Gail Allison. Ernest Willis said that he awoke to the smell of smoke around 4:00 a.m. on June 11. The Willis cousins were able to make it out of
2745-403: The movie was filmed there. Midland, Texas Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Midland County with small portions extending into Martin County . The population was 132,524 as of the 2020 census . Located in the Permian Basin in West Texas , Midland is a major center for American oil and natural gas production . Midland is the principal city of
2806-401: The poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over. In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Midland the second fastest-growing small city in the United States. In 2014, Midland had the lowest unemployment rate in the United States, 2.3%. According to the city's latest Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's top ten employers are: Midland College
2867-466: The region in double-A baseball. Junior hockey is also present in the region, with the Odessa Jackalopes of the Tier II North American Hockey League. Except for the Trans-Pecos region, West Texas has become well known as a stronghold for conservative politics. Some of the most heavily Republican counties in the United States are in the region. Former U.S. President George W. Bush spent most of his childhood in West Texas. The region includes much of
2928-525: The rest of Texas and has an arid or semiarid climate, requiring most of its scant agriculture to depend heavily on irrigation. Northern portions of the area are irrigated with water from underground sources, such as the Ogallala Aquifer . Irrigation withdrawal, and water taken out farther north for the needs of El Paso and Juarez, Mexico , have reduced the Rio Grande to a stream in some places, even dry at times. Parts of West Texas have rugged terrain, including many small mountain ranges, while most parts of
2989-426: The same Cook PVI as the Panhandle. "West of the Pecos" has become a metaphor for the universe of Westerns . "Fastest draw west of the Pecos" and similar superlatives are a cliche, and the title character of Chisum observed "There’s no law west of Dodge, and no God west of the Pecos”. Cormac McCarthy 's novel No Country for Old Men and its subsequent film adaptation take place in West Texas, and much of
3050-1689: The state are closer to sea level. The northern parts of West Texas and the higher elevations of the mountain ranges of the Trans-Pecos region are prone to occasional heavy snowfall during winter, whereas snow is less common in other areas of West Texas. The 72 counties of West Texas are Andrews , Bailey , Borden , Brewster , Brown , Callahan , Castro , Cochran , Coke , Coleman , Comanche , Concho , Crane , Crockett , Crosby , Culberson , Dawson , Deaf Smith , Dickens , Eastland , Ector , El Paso , Fisher , Floyd , Gaines , Garza , Glasscock , Hale , Haskell , Hockley , Howard , Hudspeth , Irion , Jeff Davis , Jones , Kent , Kimble , King , Knox , Lamb , Loving , Lubbock , Lynn , Martin , Mason , McCulloch , Menard , Midland , Mitchell , Motley , Nolan , Pecos , Presidio , Reagan , Reeves , Runnels , Schleicher , Scurry , Shackelford , Stephens , Sterling , Stonewall , Sutton , Taylor , Terrell , Terry , Throckmorton , Tom Green , Upton , Ward , Winkler , and Yoakum . Smaller West Texas cities and towns include Alpine , Andrews , Anthony , Brownfield , Canutillo , Coyanosa , Crane , Fabens , Fort Davis , Fort Stockton , Hale Center , Horizon City , Iraan , Kermit , Lamesa , Levelland , Littlefield , Marathon , Marfa , McCamey , Mertzon , Monahans , Ozona , Pecos , Post , Rankin , Ransom Canyon , San Elizario , Seminole , Slaton , Snyder , Sweetwater , and Van Horn . Major industries include livestock , petroleum and natural gas production, textiles such as cotton , grain , and because of very large military installations such as Fort Bliss ,
3111-415: The war, with the discovery and development of the Spraberry Trend , still the country's third-largest oil field by total reserves. Yet another boom period took place during the 1970s, with the high oil prices associated with the oil and energy crises. Today, the Permian Basin produces one fifth of the nation's total petroleum and natural gas output. Midland's economy still relies heavily on petroleum, but
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#17330851912553172-501: The winter, but rarely sees extended periods of below-freezing cold. Midland receives approximately 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation per year, much of which falls in the summer. Highs exceed 90 °F (32 °C) on 115 days per year and 100 °F (38 °C) on 24 days while lows fall to 32 °F (0 °C) or below on 58 days. Nicknamed "The Tall City", Midland has long been known for its downtown skyline. Most of downtown Midland's major office buildings were built during
3233-446: The year. The MOSC also is home to three resident chamber ensembles, the Lone Star Brass, Permian Basin String Quartet and West Texas Winds. These ensembles are made up of principal musicians in the orchestra. The Midland Community Theatre (MCT) originated in 1946 with musicals, comedies, dramas, mysteries, children's theatre and melodramas. MCT produces 15 shows each year in three performance spaces—Davis Theatre I and Mabee Theatre II, in
3294-400: Was $ 90,448, with a per capita income of $ 47,870. 10.5% of the population was below the poverty line . In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $ 39,320, and for a family was $ 48,290. Males had a median income of $ 37,566 versus $ 24,794 for females. The per capita income for the city in 2007 was $ 52,294. In 2000, about 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below
3355-461: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19. In the city, the population was distributed as 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males. The median household income in 2020
3416-427: Was convicted of capital murder and sent to death row in August 1987. In 1990, fellow death row inmate David Martin Long gave a three-hour confession to starting the fire in Iraan. He had been involved in some criminal activity with Billy Willis, and he said that he hated Billy. The confession was recorded on video, but Long subsequently refused to testify in court on the matter. The confession generated new interest in
3477-410: Was endowed in 1996, and has brought a diverse selection of speakers to Midland, including Ken Burns , Richard Leakey , Bill Moyers , Mark Russell , Sandra Day O'Connor , Richard Rodriguez , Shelby Foote , Anna Deavere Smith , Bill Nye , John Updike and Neil deGrasse Tyson . Midland Independent School District serves the portion in Midland County, as in the vast majority of Midland. Midland
3538-506: Was living in Mississippi again. Willis died on January 7, 2021. West Texas West Texas is a loosely defined region in the U.S. state of Texas , generally encompassing the arid and semiarid lands west of a line drawn between the cities of Wichita Falls , Abilene , and Del Rio . No consensus exists on the boundary between East Texas and West Texas. While most Texans understand these terms, no boundaries are officially recognized and any two people are likely to describe
3599-408: Was on death row. Harbin was the sister of death row inmate Ricky McGinn, who in June 2000 had been the first Texas inmate to receive a stay of execution from governor George W. Bush . (Bush declined to halt 131 earlier executions during his tenure.) Willis and Harbin corresponded and later met at McGinn's insistence. McGinn was executed in September 2000, and Willis and Harbin were married a month after
3660-411: Was released from prison in 2004. He is believed to be the longest-serving innocent inmate of a death row in the United States. Willis was from New Mexico. Before he was 40 years old, he had been divorced several times, and he had back problems that prevented him from working and made him dependent on food stamps. He developed an addiction to pain medication, and he had three convictions for driving under
3721-400: Was released from prison in October 2004. Willis was the eighth Texas death row inmate exonerated since the state resumed executions in 1982, and he was thought to have served the longest sentence on death row among that group. After his release from prison, Willis and his wife moved to Mississippi, where they mostly kept a low profile. He started his own business hauling houses and boats across
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