[chris]

Allen Ward Cox was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Thomas Baker. The murder occurred on 12/21/98 at the Lake Correctional Institute, where Cox was an inmate serving several life sentences for kidnapping, sexual battery and aggravated battery.

On 12/20/98, Cox noticed that someone had broken into his personal footlocker and stolen $500. According to the testimony of several inmates, Cox announced to the other inmates in his dormitory that he would give $50 to anyone who would identify the thief. Cox threatened to kill the thief upon discovering his identity and indicated no concern for the consequences.

On 12/21/98, during the inmate’s lunch hour, Cox motioned for Thomas Baker to come over to him. Cox hit Baker, knocking him to the ground. Baker struggled to free himself from the attack and repeatedly denied stealing the $500. Cox then stabbed Baker three times with an ice-pick-shaped shank[1]. Cox fled behind the prison pump house and hid the shank in a pipe.

After being stabbed, Thomas Baker fled the scene to nearby correctional officers. Baker identified his attacker as “Big Al, Echo Dorm, Quad Three.” Baker hysterically motioned to the officers that he was having trouble breathing and could feel his lungs filling up with blood. Baker died en route to the hospital. Medical examiners testified the fatal stab wound pierced Baker’s lungs and aorta.

Cox returned to his dorm where he confronted Donny Cox (no relation) about his stolen money. Cox threatened Donny and told him he would kill him too if he had anything to do with the stolen money. Cox returned to his cell where he attacked his cellmate Lawrence Wood. Cox told Wood he was lucky because he would also have been stabbed if Cox had not already discarded the shank.