William Truss, a Former College Athlete, Was Pardoned After 25 Years

William Truss, a former college athlete, was found guilty of shooting two people in 2012. The jury recommended that he receive the death penalty, but the Kentucky Supreme Court overturned the conviction and sent him to prison for 25 years. After 25 years, Truss was finally able to be paroled.

In 2011, Truss played for the Birmingham Ice AAU team and was part of the Birmingham News South Basketball Player of the Year. He was also named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State team. He was also selected to the North/South All-Star team and the Jaguar and Rebel Classic All-Tournament teams.

In 2010, Truss allegedly solicited for sex with Courtney Eshay Key on Christmas Day. Truss admitted to investigators that he had previously solicited prostitutes. According to police, he pulled over at an intersection in Shively and got into a car with a woman wearing a yellow top. At the same time, Key was in the passenger seat. They were both shot to death. It was reported that the vehicle was registered to Truss.

Before going to trial, Truss was charged with first degree murder. He was ordered held without bail on that charge. The state attorney's office declined to comment on the case. But the court allowed the jury selection to continue. When the jury was called, Truss was absent. However, the judge allowed individual questioning of jurors.

The next day, Truss' SUV was spotted driving in the area. Multiple surveillance cameras recorded the vehicle as it drove down the streets. Officers responded to the scene and quickly identified Truss as the suspect. Truss told detectives that he picked up a prostitute on the night of the murder. Apparently, the SUV then crashed into a vehicle with bodies inside. Police found the bodies.

Truss, who was six feet eight inches tall, played college basketball for the Presbyterian Blue Hose. His averages in the post-season were 17 points and 15 rebounds per game. He was named to the Birmingham News' All-Metro Team and was an honorable mention on the Alabama Sports Writers Association's All-State team.

Truss was a member of the AAU's Birmingham Ice team and was a member of the North/South All-Star team in 2010. He was an honorable mention on the Jaguar and Rebel Classic All-Tournament team. During his senior season, he led the Blue Hose to a 23-8 record. During the playoffs, he averaged 17.3 points and 15.2 rebounds per game.

Truss played professionally overseas for five years. After retiring from basketball, he became a mindset consultant and weight loss coach. Thousands of individuals have turned to him to help them lose weight and gain self-confidence. Those who have taken his advice have lost 95 pounds in just seven months.

The Kentucky Supreme Court overturned Truss's conviction. Truss was convicted of shooting Menchester Bray and Derek Slade in 2012. However, the judge ordered a new trial. This time, Truss will not be sentenced to the death penalty.