Clarence Ray Allen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 16, 1930 Blair, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 2006 (aged 76) |
| Cause of death | Execution by lethal injection |
| Resting place | San Quentin Prison Cemetery |
| Criminal status | Executed on January 17, 2006 |
| Spouse | Helen Sevier |
| Conviction(s) | Burglary, murder – 1978 Murder (3 counts) – 1980 |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Imprisoned at | San Quentin State Prison |
Clarence Ray Allen (January 16, 1930 – January 17, 2006) was an American criminal and proxy killer who was executed in 2006 at the age of 76 by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison in California for the murders of three people. Allen was the second-oldest inmate at the time to be executed in the United States since 1976.
Allen was already serving a life sentence for one murder when he was convicted of organizing the killing of three more people from prison, including a witness who had testified against him.
His lawyers declared that "he presents absolutely no danger at this point, as incapacitated as he is. There's no legitimate state purpose served by executing him. It would be gratuitous punishment." They argued that his execution would constitute cruel and unusual punishment and requested that he be granted clemency by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which was refused. As of 2024, Allen is the most recent person to be executed in California.