August 11 — Timothy Hoffner
As a child, Hoffner was abandoned by his biological mother, and step relatives later adopted him. However, Hoffner was sick and physically underdeveloped when adopted, and suffered from disabling headaches and exhibited mood swings. His step relative mother, Sally, claimed that Hoffner behaved badly growing up, constantly fighting with his half-brother, getting in trouble at school, and also once killed a cat. Sally and her husband would beat him with a paddle when he misbehaved, but didn’t consider this physical abuse. His behavior worsened when Sally’s husband passed away from cancer. According to Hoffner’s adoptive sister, he was bright and articulate. However, Hoffner and his half-brother had a strained relationship. His half-brother did claim that his adoptive parents beat him and Hoffner multiple times. His half-brother believed that the punishments were too severe.
Hoffner knew the the victim, Hammer, and even lived with him before Hammer was killed. Hoffner and Archie Dixon (who is also on death row) murdered Hammer in Dixon’s girlfriend’s house, and proceeded to rob him afterwards. Dixon’s girlfriend, Wilkerson, also participated in this crime, but did not hold a prominent role. They then took Hammer’s car and sold it for $2,800. While investigating the disappearance of Hammer, they arrested Dixon for forgery, and when asked about Hammer, Hoffner denied his involvement and implicated Dixon. In addition, he led them to the gravesite where they buried Hammer. Dixon implicated Hoffner, who was arrested shortly after, after he had confessed to the murder.
Hoffner was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of aggravated murder. Family members testified on his behalf about his childhood and history. Two clinical psychologists also testified for him. The first one concluded that “Hoffner did not suffer from any structural or organic brain impairment or any formal psychotic disorder,” but described him as bright and intelligent. However, his lack of emotional expression and odd behavior suggested a personality disorder. The second psychologist diagnosed Hoffner as suffering from “antisocial schizotypal personality disorders.” She also found that he suffered from depression and alcohol and cannabis abuse. She also believed that he was abused as a childhood, leading to his personality disorders, impairing his behavior and judgement. Both psychologists agreed that Hoffner can differentiate between right and wrong. Hoffner did challenge the proportionality of his death sentence, saying that the court erred in not considering the extent of his circumstance growing up and the impact it had on him. They overruled his challenge. However, they did find some mitigating features in his childhood life, but concluded that the crime outweighed the mitigating factors.
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