Steve Roach

In April 1993, Steve Roach was convicted of the capital murder of Mary Ann Hughes. He was 17 at the time of the crime. He had been raised by both of his parents, however during his childhood they separated and got back together on four distinct occasions. Roach's father had many health problems while Roach was growing up, and often his father took medication which would cause him to experience mood swings. During the occasions that he and his wife were separated, Roach's father would drink and have numerous affairs, often bringing women home with him. Roach and his siblings were often home to witness their father's actions. Roach's parents took him out of school at 14 so he could work around the house doing odd jobs while looking after his brothers.

Other people who testified for Roach stated that he had always helped people out, often
doing different jobs for his neighbors and relatives, including the victim Mrs. Hughes. In
addition, Roach also was active in the church, volunteering to paint it and work at a children's camp. Roach's probation officer testified that his family had undergone
counseling sessions and that Roach was going to get his G.E.D.

A forensic psychologist, Dr. Hawk, who interviewed Roach on several occasions testified that Roach was "particularly immature" for his age. Hawk concluded that Roach had poor impulse control and "did not show very good ability in many situations to control his emotions or behavior like seventeen-year-old or eighteen-year-old individuals should do." Dr. Hawk attributed this immaturity to the lack of supervision and guidance in the Roach household. He believed that Roach had acted out of emotion and had displaced his anger on his close friend, Mrs. Hughes. He also testified that Roach had never committed any violent behavior previous to this act.

Roach testified that his intent upon going over to Mrs. Hughes' house was not to kill
her, but to rob her. He expressed remorse for his actions, stating, "I wish I could bring
her back."

During the trial Roach admitted into evidence that he had no gunshot residue on his hands, nor did his clothes have any blood on them. An expert in forensic science testified that "the fatal wound perforated one of Hughes' arteries and the pattern of blood splatters indicated that the person who had fired the gun was standing within five feet of Hughes." He also presented the fact that the shoes he was wearing on December 3 did not match the footprints at the scene of the crime. However, the trial court found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to death.

Currently Steve Roach is in the Federal Habeas stage and has filed in the United
States District Court. He has been on death row since May 10, 1995.