Notes on a Meeting with Campaign to End the Death Penalty, 2013

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Flashback. Just saw the following quote via Twitter from bell hooks, and it made me think of the 2013 Texas conference of the Campaign to end the Death Penalty on 2 November. I had never met with CEDP before or attended similar meetings. I'm strongly opposed to capital punishment for multiple reasons, which will be the topic of some future posting. Here, however, I post my notes with some updated links. Some names I've redacted simply to maintain privacy.

Though the number of executions in Texas has been decreasing, the state still leads the country (518 since 1976, 10 in 2014) ... and poverty of unwed mothers, uninsured, etc. etc. 


And not surprisingly, because of the states' and nation's racist "justice" system, the discrepancy between the general population and men and women executed is obvious:

These and other statistics updated to December 2014 can be found at the Death Penalty Information Center.

Campaign to End the Death Penalty

2 November 2013
Austin TX
Lawrence Foster, grandfather of Kenneth Foster Jr who was saved from execution in 2007 spoke briefly.

Sandra Reed (mother of Rodney Reed, convicted 1998 for a murder in 1996). Reading notes from spiral notebook. Narrative of victim knowing Rodney, had come to their home where Rodney was living. Confession made (by someone?), recanted. A year after death, RR arrested for a drug charge, then 12 hours later charged with murder of V. Pre-trial asked mother knew V; same day of pre-trial, mother was put under gag order. 

Year later, first day of trial, Judge Harold Townsend placed mother under another order to be witness for prosecution (card game to keep her out of court room to prevent RR emotional support/ see “The Rule”). [Mother’s narrative shows system’s corruption/ abuse of rules, her devotion to RR, frustration that few associates permitted to testify]. Mother claims witnesses “threatened” by judge that they would be indicted on another murder happened a week after V’s death. [Mother’s tone, “preachy”, lots of eye contact]. Claims case botched, “full of lies, conspiracy to cover for fellow officer because V was engaged to police officer, the same PO that is now in prison for assaulting, raping women in custody. His name is Jimmy Fennel.” Jim Crow trial -- all white trial, no peers, only 2 defense witnesses. System is broken, not fair; if system was fair, Jesus would have not died on the cross. The system has never stopped murder since Cain and Abel. Death penalty doesn't stop murder. Murder has existed forever [hands raised to heaven]. 

Government corrupt, lies, deceit. Always been that way, just now being exposed. [more eye contact, louder voicing]. What makes this death penalty so perfect, that you can take an innocent life? “Let not their lives be in vain. Stop the death penalty.”


[Update on Reed's appeal: Texas Denies DNA Testing 26 Nov 2014]
Delia Perez Meyer -- sister of Louis Perez -- victims of a system that is tragically flawed system. Stories the same -- stories the same of system abuses, families have no voice. It’s about racism, at least in TX where Mexicans were hanged, Af-Am stoned; mentioned something abt 400 Mexicans beheaded. Louis -- prosecutorial misconduct, withholding evidence, over-zealousness. Prosecutors demonize simple affection -- DNA in house b/c he was in house over weekend, his girlfriend’s family. Louis’s fingerprints not on any victims. Innocence Project NYC now involved. Perez family also under a gag order during trial.


Witness to Innocence members (abt 4) present.


Barbara Lewis (Af-Am), mother Robert Gaddis, sentence commuted to life.  Discusses magnitude of grief of a mother being told that on X date her son would be killed by the sate. RG did kill girlfriend. [Mother articulate; we wonder about the humanness of killers, but here an impassioned mother who admits that her son is a killer, lost his control when girlfriend broke up with him]. Calls the system “a ritual” -- they do exactly the same thing in every single state. If that’s their pattern, then that's what their intention is. “Breaks down individual, breaks down family, breaks down community” Grateful that the V’s family members came to her to tell her that she had to keep her head up and speak out. Alludes to insanities, the rich, who are not expected to be killed by state, and then argues that we shouldn't “take out” those who had the worst day of their lives. Calls the small group today the select. Tells story of Gideon’s 300. We are gonna win because we are on the side of right. Light vs Darkness. RG the first the CEDP took on who was in fact guilty of murder. The family members of V hugged her, saying, “Your tragedy is a tragedy.” Get in the crowd, get the job done.


Jack Bryson – Whose son was on the platform with Oscar Grant when Oscar was shot and killed by Oakland transit police. Mentions some movie. “I can honestly say …” repeated. “Organizing is hard.” Four great years. Four hard years. You try to do the right thing … this is what makes you a leader .. you’re being attacked by the system and by your colleagues. MLK, M X went through it. “Why do we appreciate everyone’s legacy when they’re gone?” JB didn’t graduate from high school. His narrative emphasizes association with the group, an honor to be with these others. Humble, learning from other cases, everything an honor. “Without you, I know know these connections, I wouldn’t know this history.” Was angry, burned out and mad, but the association as relit the fire. “Why should I stop fighting for those who care and love me?” “I got to figure it out.” Tim __ was 22 in TN when went to prison; JB’s son 23 and doesn't know what he would have done without someone raising a voice. System is racist, unfair to a black person. JB learning about system’s and nation’s inherent racism. It’s hard to talk about 400 years of history within minutes. CEDP has to look at its victories. Any time you can defeat the system, that’s a victory.


Timothy McKinney (see New Abolitionist) -- cries as he stands up. Convicted in Memphis. Thanks the CEDP for love, for being voice of the voiceless. Could talk for years about all the wrongs that are going on. We have to continue the fight. “I think I left 100 and something [in TN on death row.” “It’s serious, mental torture, the emotional strain on him, family, friends, the activists. The wall is being breaking. Many being released, but many still locked up. Hold those in authority accountable. We also have to hold each other accountable -- we get discouraged. The lack of unity … wow .. it’s … lack of respect for humankind to sentence me to die on my birthday, for these individuals to look me in the eye and tell me that the burden of proof on my ignorance of the law. I was a child.” No evidence. He had willingly given the PO his ID and from then was the focus of the investigation. Feels blessed. Offers to speak, act as a voice. Advocates for end of death penalty -- it’s been done before, we can do it again. Be involved, write a letter.



Be strong, and courageous.
Dixi et salvavi animam meam
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