Opinion ID: 2720490
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Wheeler’s Evidence in Mitigation

Text: A number of Wheeler‘s relatives testified about his chaotic and abusive childhood. Wheeler‘s mother was a drug-addicted runaway when she met Leroy Wheeler, Sr. She was 17 and he 19 at Wheeler‘s birth. When Wheeler‘s brother was born about two years later his father began living apart from the family. Wheeler‘s mother could not provide a 14 stable home and moved frequently. The father visited occasionally and the children witnessed violent fights. When Wheeler was six years old his father left for good. Wheeler‘s mother had frequent associations with other men, and eventually became involved with Charlie Luster. Luster was able to provide some stability but also physically abused Wheeler. Luster was a self-described ―hustler‖ and ―compulsive gambler,‖ who was imprisoned part of the time during his relationship with Wheeler‘s mother. Wheeler‘s mother died the year of the murders. When Wheeler was 12 or 13 years old, he began staying at relatives‘ homes. At age 15, he moved out on his own. Soon thereafter, he attempted a robbery and was sent to the Youth Authority. A counselor testified that Wheeler caused no major problems and was a good worker and student. He was unaffiliated with any gang. One of Wheeler‘s aunts testified that when he stayed at her house, he got along well with other children and attended school. Another aunt described him as smart, industrious, and entrepreneurial. Wheeler gave his brother advice and assistance. Wheeler‘s relatives, as well as Charlie Luster, hoped the jury would spare his life. Clinical psychologist Adrienne Davis evaluated Wheeler. In her opinion, he was intelligent, articulate, and capable of doing well, especially in a structured environment with well-defined expectations. There were, however, some indications that he could be overly energetic and have difficulty behaving constructively. She believed that Wheeler‘s history of transient living, abandonment, neglect, and abuse led him to seek out relationships with older men who would protect him and provide a secure environment. This, in turn, led to his criminal activities.