Robert Lee Willie Timeline and Summary

Robert's exact birthdate is unknown. His father was incarcerated during much of his childhood.
Robert had a long juvenile record. As an adult, he was involved in drug abuse and in a couple of wrongful deaths, including the death of a law officer.
In 1980, Robert Willie and Joe Vaccaro raped and murdered Faith Hathaway, who was 18 years old.
Robert was captured, convicted, and sentenced to death.
Sister Helen Prejean becomes Robert's spiritual adviser in 1984, shortly before his execution.
Robert is executed in December 1984.
Robert became the primary basis for the character Matthew Poncelet, played by Sean Penn, in the film Dead Man Walking.