Some time after midnight on June 3, 1982, Ronald Wojcik and Sandra Sowash were awakened and forced by knifepoint from Wojcik’s Biloxi apartment by Attina Cannaday, David Gray, and Dawn Bushart. All five got into Wojcik’s van and Cannaday drove to a remote wooded area north of Gulfport.On the way, Gray raped Sowash at knifepoint in the rear of the van.After the van stopped, Cannaday told Wojcik to get out. When he hesitated, Gray pulled him out. Holding a butcher knife to Wojcik’s back, Gray marched him 50 to 60 feet into the woods. Cannaday yelled “Kill him”, and Gray yelled back for Cannaday to bring Sowash into the woods to him.Sowash turned and ran down the road. Cannaday threw her knife at Sowash but the handle hit her in the back. Sowash hid at a nearby house, while Cannaday, Gray and Bushart fled to Slidell, Louisiana. At sunrise, the body of Ronald Wojcik was found with 19 stab wounds to the head, hands, upper body, and back.Gray stated that after he yelled for Sowash to be brought out, Wojcik hit him. Dropping the knife, Gray had a fist fight with Wojcik in which Gray knocked him to the ground, breathless. Picking up the knife, Gray suddenly saw Cannaday who asked for the knife and said she wanted to talk to Wojcik. Gray did so, telling her to say what she had to, but to make it fast. Gray then returned to the road. About five minutes later, Cannaday returned. He asked her what happened, and she replied, “Nothing, he got up and ran off.” Gray denied using the butcher knife against Wojcik at any time during or after the fight. He said Cannaday did not return with the butcher knife. He likewise denied ever using either of the folding knives in his possession against Wojcik.Sowash gave the police a detailed description of Wojcik’s white van, as well as the name of Tina as a participant. Sheriff’s deputies knew that Cannaday had connections in Slidell, Louisiana, and informed the Louisiana authorities to be on the lookout for the white van and occupants. Wojcik’s wallet was found on the highway near Slidell.Wojcik’s van was sighted near Slidell, and Gray and one Timmy Page were arrested. Cannaday was arrested at Page’s residence
Attina Marie Cannaday appeal 1984
David Randolph Gray appeal 1985
David Randolph Gray appeal 1987
David Randolph Gray appeal 1992
Death Row inmate wins ruling
Wikipedia: Too Young to Die?
Offender Information: David Randolph Gray
Offender Information: Attina Cannady
Books
Women and the Death Penalty in the United States, 1900-1998
Kids Who Kill
Movies/Documentaries
Too Young to Die?
Important news for this case:
One of the defendents, Attina Cannaday, is coming up for parole. The victim’s family does not want her to receive parole. I am trying to get the information on when the parole hearing is and the address to send letters in support of the family. I hope to update this on Monday.
I will also be adding pictures to this post.
*update 3/5/08*
Attina will be released on parole on 3/7/08
Attina Cannady David Randolph Gray
