Tommy Lee Walker: Executed in 1954, Exonerated in 2026 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 10, 2026 · 31 MIN

Tommy Lee Walker: Executed in 1954, Exonerated in 2026

from Gone South · host Audacy Podcasts

In 1954, Dallas executed a 19-year-old Black man named Tommy Lee Walker for the rape and murder of a young white woman near Love Field. Walker had no criminal record, eight alibi witnesses placing him across town at the time, and he recanted his confession the moment he was returned to his cell. None of it mattered. Three months after his arrest, a jury sentenced him to die in the electric chair.Seventy years later, Innocence Project attorney Chris Fabricant set out to do something that had never been done before: exonerate a man who'd already been put to death. Jed talks with Fabricant about the coerced confession, the junk-science polygraph, the racial panic that swept Dallas in 1953, and what it took to finally clear Tommy Lee Walker's name.Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠https://jedlipinski.substack.com/⁠ Connect with Jed Lipinski:⁠https://www.instagram.com/gonesouthpodcast/⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/gonesouthpodcast/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-lipinski/

In 1954, Dallas executed a 19-year-old Black man named Tommy Lee Walker for the rape and murder of a young white woman near Love Field. Walker had no criminal record, eight alibi witnesses placing him across town at the time, and he recanted his confession the moment he was returned to his cell. None of it mattered. Three months after his arrest, a jury sentenced him to die in the electric chair.Seventy years later, Innocence Project attorney Chris Fabricant set out to do something that had never been done before: exonerate a man who'd already been put to death. Jed talks with Fabricant about the coerced confession, the junk-science polygraph, the racial panic that swept Dallas in 1953, and what it took to finally clear Tommy Lee Walker's name.Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠https://jedlipinski.substack.com/⁠ Connect with Jed Lipinski:⁠https://www.instagram.com/gonesouthpodcast/⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/gonesouthpodcast/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-lipinski/

NOW PLAYING

Tommy Lee Walker: Executed in 1954, Exonerated in 2026

0:00 31:09

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Girls Gone Wireless Girls Gone Wireless A uncensored podcast co-hosted by Kitty Li, Jadasaur, and guests- who provide raw, comedic insight on their own lives as content creators, dating advice, and sex. Explicit The Cocky Top Podcast Studio 66 THE Cocky Top Podcast is a sports podcast by a divided friendship. Brian, an avid South Carolina Gamecock and Tyler, an ’All Vol’ Tennesseean have been friends for over 10 years, but the thing that has always divided them was college football. On this show, they will discuss their individual teams throughout the football season, as well as, other high profile games around The SEC; with other high profile games, as a bonus.Tune into Cocky Top every Monday and Friday. Follow along and let us know who your favorite team is and how their season is going by emailing us at [email protected]. You can also find more by searching @studio_66tld on Instagram and Studio 66 on Facebook. Explicit Vista Da Great Vuyisile Mdutyulwa Based on raw and authentic life stories of ordinary and different people in all walks of the dusty streets of South Africa. Explicit Nabanoor Marse Tripura Mercy Tripura is a self-trained home cook, licensed/certified bartender and mixologist living in Canada. Her business venture started in Bangladesh with her fashion brand, Mercy’s, a Chittagong Hill Tracts-inspired modern clothing line. She is also the creator of the popular satire cooking series titled ”My Shada Bileti Gadha” on her YouTube channel Banglar Bartender. She is now the host of her brand new podcast Nabanoor, where she explores her culinary journey with her friends.Nabanoor aims to be the first Bangla language podcast for women across the planet. Get comfy dear Pookies as we dive into deep conversations along with delicious South Asian food.Connect with Mercy: https://www.youtube.com/@banglarbartender Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Gone South?

This episode is 31 minutes long.

When was this Gone South episode published?

This episode was published on June 10, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In 1954, Dallas executed a 19-year-old Black man named Tommy Lee Walker for the rape and murder of a young white woman near Love Field. Walker had no criminal record, eight alibi witnesses placing him across town at the time, and he recanted his...

Can I download this Gone South episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!