Murder victim. Debbie Sue Carter was the second of the three daughters born to Peggy Sue née Williams and Charles R. Carter. Tragically, Debbie was one of the two infamous murder victim's, who, along with later victim Denice Haraway, had their horrific demise detailed in the 2006 controversial John Grisham, book: "The Innocent Man" (his only non-fiction book) and a subsequent 2018 Netflix documentary, of the same title. Her story was also covered on the TV Show: Cold Blood - S5.E1 "Framed" (which aired April 5, 2012). Both the book and the film adaptations, meticulously outlined the tragic events surrounding the ghastly murders of the two young woman and the many suspects, and possible improprieties of some authorities. On December 7, 1982, Debbie left her job, after working a late-night shift as a waitress at the Coachlight bar and restaurant in Ada, and drove home where she lived alone. She was discovered by a friend in her apartment the next day. It was reported that Debbie had been raped, beaten and strangled. The quest and dire need for justice, thrust the small Oklahoma town into the national spotlight and left a grieving family devastated, and wondering for a nearly quarter of a century who actually was the killer of this beautiful, kind, loving and gentle soul. Two men, Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, were soon charged and convicted for her murder in 1988. Subsequent DNA evidence fully exonerated the two men, and they were freed on April 15, 1999. That same DNA evidence eventually lead to the ultimate arrest and conviction of her actual killer for first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death, but his death sentence and conviction was overturned in August 2005. He was later convicted at his second trial on June 21, 2006, and sentenced to life without parole. Dennis Smith, the original lead Ada police investigator of the first two men, who had vowed to catch Debbie's killer(s), was recalled out of retirement to serve as a witness in this new trial and surprisingly passed away of a heart attack just 9 days after the true killer was sentenced to life. (Bio by: Jay Lance)
Murder victim. Debbie Sue Carter was the second of the three daughters born to Peggy Sue née Williams and Charles R. Carter. Tragically, Debbie was one of the two infamous murder victim's, who, along with later victim Denice Haraway, had their horrific demise detailed in the 2006 controversial John Grisham, book: "The Innocent Man" (his only non-fiction book) and a subsequent 2018 Netflix documentary, of the same title. Her story was also covered on the TV Show: Cold Blood - S5.E1 "Framed" (which aired April 5, 2012). Both the book and the film adaptations, meticulously outlined the tragic events surrounding the ghastly murders of the two young woman and the many suspects, and possible improprieties of some authorities. On December 7, 1982, Debbie left her job, after working a late-night shift as a waitress at the Coachlight bar and restaurant in Ada, and drove home where she lived alone. She was discovered by a friend in her apartment the next day. It was reported that Debbie had been raped, beaten and strangled. The quest and dire need for justice, thrust the small Oklahoma town into the national spotlight and left a grieving family devastated, and wondering for a nearly quarter of a century who actually was the killer of this beautiful, kind, loving and gentle soul. Two men, Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, were soon charged and convicted for her murder in 1988. Subsequent DNA evidence fully exonerated the two men, and they were freed on April 15, 1999. That same DNA evidence eventually lead to the ultimate arrest and conviction of her actual killer for first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death, but his death sentence and conviction was overturned in August 2005. He was later convicted at his second trial on June 21, 2006, and sentenced to life without parole. Dennis Smith, the original lead Ada police investigator of the first two men, who had vowed to catch Debbie's killer(s), was recalled out of retirement to serve as a witness in this new trial and surprisingly passed away of a heart attack just 9 days after the true killer was sentenced to life. (Bio by: Jay Lance)
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ONE OF OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN
IS ASLEEP IN JESUS
Beloved Daughter of Peggy and Charlie
Sister and Aunt
Gravesite Details
Well tended and often highly decorated with flowers and personal ornamentation
