Death Watch Speaks

Jack Trawick, Alabama
Execution date 11.06.2009

I am not only on death row, but I have a scheduled execution date on 6-11-09.

If someone were to ask me to state 4 objections to the death penalty - my answers would be:

#1

No human has the right to kill another human. Absolutely no executions can be truthfully carried out in the name of God. Any state or federally sponsored execution (actually government murder) is strictly for revenge.

Someone alleged did something to some other person and now someone needs to die for the alleged crime.

The problem is: revenge belongs to no woman or man.

Also the death penalty is no more a deterrent to violent crimes than a verbal chastisement. No one can teach society that murder is wrong by murdering someone. In fact the death penalty does just the opposite.

The death penalty teaches that murder is a viable option, because the death penalty cheapens life, it cheapens society, it cheapens civilizations.

#2

Most people do not understand the death row appeal process. Death row inmates aren’t appealing their convictions.

Guilt or innocence plays no part in post conviction appeals. The death row inmate is asking a higher court, if his or her trial was constitutionally judged. Did the state court do everything according to specified law?

So, if I were totally innocent (which I am not) and the Supreme Court ruled everything in my trial was handled legally and constitutionally, I would be executed regardless of my true innocence. Innocent people have been and will be executed.

The US judicial system has gotten to a point where their slogan is: "It is better to punish nine (9) innocent people than to let the 10th person who is guilty go free." It is called legal collateral damage!

#3

Speaking of collateral damage, what about a condemned man's/woman's family?

When "John" is convicted of a capital offense and he is duly executed, do you think his mother feels no emotional pain?

Children that lost father or mother - less apparently they are oblivious to any sense of loss. I took away some woman's child. The great state of Alabama is - with 15 years of premeditation - taking away my mother's child. To either mother the loss is profound, and what is the sentiment of those who believe in the death penalty? Towards this “collateral damage”?

They with all their religious values - they don't care for someone.

In fact, most hold the parent as responsible as the legally condemned man/woman.

#4

Lastly, each execution desensitizes all human on the aspect of unnatural death. Is that the legacy you want to leave your children? That murder is just a part of life and should not elicit any emotion. That murder is as normal as a baby brought into the world.

The state calls it executions or some other friendly term. If the death penalty is honorable, is moral, is right, why isn't it the death penalty celebrated with joy and song? Because even the people who support the death penalty, know it's wrong. It's like when Eve (of the bible) became ashamed of her nakedness. She has lived with Adam - the only other human - for untold years, totally naked. Only after her sin was she ashamed.

If supporters of the death penalty are ashamed of their acts, they know of their sin.