Hello I have not posted in awhile, Just been very busy. I hav a qestion, Ive grown very close to two of my death row pals, both are at different prisons, Ive been writing them a total of four months.
I cannot imagine life without these men, their letters are always the hilight of my day, they make me laugh, they make me think and see things in a different light.
I spoil them rotten because they have opened my eyes to alot of things. My pal yells at me all the time about sending him books. yu think I listen?? no:)
They both have appeals coming up.
and Im kind of in denial I geuss, wanting to be I geuss, I get so sad thinking of them leaving me, but most men on death row stay there right???
I dont think I will ever be prepared for that day.
How do you guys not focus on that????
I need to be strong for them, they dont need no cry baby

Dana , In TX, no, most do not do well in appeals. Especially if they are guilty. And if they have sorry lawyers. Most lawyers in TX working on appeals don't want to do them. Don't take the time. And many are downright rude, insensitive, and just plain stupid to their clients and the families of clients. There are some good lawyers in TX. But they are hard to find. Hard to get. As far as being strong for them yes this is important. But so is looking our for youself. I would say more about how we should not baby them. But I will leave it alone for now. I hope the best for all involved. Blessings!

Many people do leave death row but end up with life in prison. Most times, a new trial for death row doesn't mean if you go free. It means you get resentenced.

I just say never give up hope and just live one day at a time. That is the only way we will ever get through this nightmare.

I agree with Kyla, and as someone who is to marry a wonderful man I met when he was on the Row, I know just how involved you can get. We were 'lucky' because Ryan commuted Tony's sentence but I don 't think life without parole is an alternative. What it does give us is time to fight and appeal. Yes, there is hope and you never know what's around that corner. Nobody thought Illinois Death Row would be emptied on one day last year, but it was even though the prosecutors are trying to fill it again.

Rose

I Know That It Must Be Hard, But Try Not To Think Of It That Way. Not Just Death Row Inmates, But We Never Know When We're Gonna Lose Anyone That We Love, So Thats Why You Should Always Focus On Trying To Enjoy Them And Tell Them How Much You Love And Appreciate Them While They're Here. And Just Pray To God That He Helps You Remain A Good Friend To Them As Long As You Can And Pray That If Something Were To Happen To Them Tht You Will Be Strong Enough To Handle It.

And To Add To What I Just Wrote, Your Loved Ones May Be One Of The Lucky Ones Who Live For Years And Years And Years Before They Ever Put Them To Death, And Some People Live On The Row And Never Get Sentenced To Death, So Just Enjoy Them Happily As Long As You Can.

Thank you all for your input. Ive been just feeling really stressed lately.

Hi Dana...
It can be really stressful and emotional writing to guys who are on death row. I ost two friends to execution a couple years ago and I swore then that I'd never get close to anyone on the row again... but of course I did. You can't hardly write to someone and not get close to them. I've become real close to my friend Robert in Arizona and I know if he does end up being executed it will just break my heart. But...the way I try to think about it is..I'd rather have this time with him and go through the pain of loosing him then to have never known him at all. I've learned so much from him.... and I care very much for him. I wouldn't trade this friendship for anything... even though I know how it will probably end.
You take care...and enjoy the guys your writing...
Jandara

Just think of it this way: If worse comes to worse, at least you made what lives they have left a better one. That's the way I try to look at it. [I have several penpals on DR and my ex is down there as well]

Never give up hope, yes.
My dearest on DR - he is innocent 100%. I know the case pretty good by now and got him one of the best private investigators of the Unted States. But either I am not certain if he will ever be free.
Our investigator meant it will be certainly overturned to life. This will be the minimum what can be done.
I don't know if I shall wish this for him.
He has so much hope. he says the federal court will give him a new trial and then freedom. But we will not know this before day X.
So I try not to think about it. It would be for nothing.

Dana,

I can so relate to your post. I have a friend I met through a pen pal ad...he's on death row at San Quentin. I didn't know where this journey would take me...but in four months we've exchanged over 60 letters. It is amazing how close one can become through letters alone. He's been on death row for 21 years and has almost exhausted the appeal process. It saddens me so much to think about what I will do when he is gone. It is the one thing I hate to talk about...but he is trying to get "all his ducks in a row"...and at the same time is trying to help me come to terms with what is ahead for us. Whenever I think about it...I lose my wits...the tears stream and I feel so angry. I try to focus on what time God affords us...

You aren't alone. :)

IceBlueSparkle