William LeCroy, Jr., Federal
William LeCroy, Jr., Federal
September 22, 2020
William Emmett LeCroy, Jr., was executed by the federal government on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. William’s execution was carried out at 9:06 pm local time, inside the execution chamber at the Federal Correction Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was delayed by a few hours due to appeals. William was 50 years of age. He was executed for the carjacking, rape, and murder of 30-year-old Joann Tiesler in Gilmer County, Georgia, in 2001.
William joined the Army at the age of 17, and was discharged two years later in 1989, after he went AWOL (absent without leave). After leaving the military, he went to the home of his mother and step-father. His step-father had a 13-year-old daughter who lived with him, and with whom LeCroy began a sexual relationship, which the parents discovered in January 1990. The girls mother urged authorities to prosecute LeCroy for statutory rape.
In late 1990 and 1991, LeCroy was linked to a series of burglaries in a residential neighborhood in Cobb County, Georgia. LeCroy was arrested during a traffic stop on March 3, 1991. Inside his car was a holster, gun, and several hand written notes, including one that was believed to be a “hit list” of people to kill. LeCroy was sent to prison and while serving his sentence, he was convicted under federal law for the possession of a sawed-off shotgun, which he obtained during a burglary. He received a five year federal prison sentence.
LeCroy was released from federal custody in August 2001, with a three year term of supervised probation. LeCroy moved back in with his mother and step-father in Gilmer County, Georgia. One condition of his release was that LeCroy undergo a psychosexual evaluation. LeCroy eventually agreed to the test, however he instead decided to flee the country prior to his test.
Evidence discovered later showed that LeCroy was researching survival gear, creating a list of gear he would need, and copying his stepfather’s passport. To help finance his plan, a series of robberies occurred on Cherry Log Mountain, where LeCroy was staying, over the weekend of October 5-7, 2001.
On the evening of October 7, LeCroy broke into the home of Joann Tiesler, who was not home at the time of the break-in, however, she arrived home while LeCroy was still in her house. LeCroy attacked Joann after she entered her home, striking her on the back of her head. Joann’s hands were bound behind her back and she was strangled and raped, before eventually being killed by having her throat slashed with a knife and being stabbed in the back multiple times. DNA later identified LeCroy as the rapists.
LeCroy stole Joann’s car, loaded it up with supplies and headed for Canada. On October 9, 2001, LeCroy was arrested at a border crossing in Minnesota, still driving Joann’s vehicle. A knife with Joann’s blood on it was found in the vehicle, as well as a note confessing to Joann’s murder and asking for forgiveness.
LeCroy was convicted of carjacking and murder, and was sentenced to death in 2004.
Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Joann Tiesler. Pray for strength for the family of William LeCroy.
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