TN Death Row Marriage Article

Michelle9849 · #1 10-16-2002, 03:04 PM

A British woman is making plans to fly
across the Atlantic Ocean and marry a
man she met over the Internet, a groom
who is a death row inmate in a
Nashville prison, according to reports in
two British newspapers.

Nicky Styles, 34, reportedly wants to
marry James Mellon, 26, who was
sentenced to die in 1999 for his role in
a robbery and murder in Knoxville.
Mellon, of Farragut, was convicted of
killing Scott Loveday, 20, during a
botched robbery attempt, according to
news reports in the United Kingdom
and in past news accounts. Three other
men were involved.

Mellon is housed at the Riverbend
Maximum Security Institution. The
couple met by an online pen-pal
organization, according to the Bristol
Evening Post.

Another British paper, The People,
said Styles is bringing her children, ages
16, 12 and 7, to live in Nashville.

''I can't explain the feelings — I just
know he loves me,'' the Evening Post
quotes Styles as saying in August. ''It's like we are soul mates. When I think of him,
I know he is thinking of me. If he dies, then I'm going to die — I can't live without
him.''

Steve Hayes, spokesman for the state Department of Correction, confirmed that
Mellon has submitted an application to marry while incarcerated. The documents
were unavailable yesterday, however, he said, including the name of the woman he
intends to marry.

Hayes also declined a request to speak with Mellon. State policy only allows
interviews with such inmates on Wednesdays, he said.

Styles was not on Mellon's approved visitation list as of yesterday, Hayes said, but
she still can apply. He also said he had no information about whether Styles has
applied to visit with the inmate.

Tennessee law allows inmates to marry. The convict and the intended spouse send
letters to the chaplain at least 60 days before the planned wedding date. The couple
must undergo at least one counseling session.

An inmate must wear standard issue prison uniform. Only the inmate and the
partner can attend, although the warden can approve allowing four immediate family
members to be present. The couple can have a supervised visit for one hour after
the ceremony.
A Nashville psychologist, Dr. Richard Taran, said yesterday Styles' reported plans
to marry Mellon could indicate she is blocking herself from having a real, meaningful
relationship.

''She doesn't have to go into herself very deeply,'' said Taran, a clinical psychologist
for 37 years. ''She's got a guaranteed marriage. And no matter what the guy sees,
he's going to marry her.

''She doesn't want reason and logic. She wants to feel the sense of emotion and
purpose, and not real intimacy.''

LaTonya · #2 10-17-2002, 04:28 PM

This really made me think.I am just not sure if it was good or bad. I mean if she loves him she loves him but can she honestly say she will die when he dies seems like some one distrub because she has 3 kids to worry about. I really dont know what to make of this.

yanigirl · #3 10-18-2002, 06:53 AM

This thing to me does not sound so healthy and it appears that her wanting to marry him is nothing about love but about some deep psychological issues. I am not a doctor so I can't prove it medicaly but this women sounds like she has issues.I never quite understood how people fall in love through letters and marry someone who may never come out of prison. Up until coming to PTO I had real issues with people who do this but now I see a connection can be made and two people can fall in love but it's not for everyone. I feel like it's hard enough traveling down this road with someone you loved before hand so to make that sacrifice for someone you don't know has to be extra difficult. To each is own.

Nichole · #4 10-18-2002, 07:22 AM

To me this women does has issues and I cant see marring someone that is on death row dont get me wrong they need to be loved and not for got as well as the rest but to knwo that hes never gettting out that would just kill me.....

yanigirl I fell in love with my man in letters be fore we ever talked on the phone but this is different hes gettign out in 5 years maybe soon we will know after the review boad .

laura jo covey · #5 10-18-2002, 04:46 PM

THE VERY ACT OF BELIEVING CREATES STRENGTH OF ITS OWN.

horsegal · #6 10-18-2002, 05:32 PM

Hey the way I look at it, if she really feels as though she loves this man, then who am I to judge. More power to her. I mean I just got married in a prison. So I wish her all the luck!

JacksGirl · #7 10-18-2002, 05:39 PM

I for one agree with laura's statement. If Nicky Styles loves James then I wish them the best.

And in Nicky's defense I have said before I could not live with out Jack. I know I could but at the time the statement was made it was not meant the way it was taken.

I took her staement as she would be very broken hearted to live with out James. That is a very understandable feeling. This is just my opinion

Much Respect,
Sharon

jamnik · #8 02-05-2006, 03:21 PM

i had read this post a very long time ago, it was pointed out to me again so i come to say my bit,
im the one you thought had psychological issues

i got issues but that kind

my relationship was pointed out to the the papers by a "friend" after months of reporters going through my rubbish, standing outside my flat, they made there own storys up, yes i did marry james october 2003

best day off my life, and were stronger than ever, lots of people said he would never get off death row, said that i was wasting my time,said he was a waste of time/space, cos i believed different i fell out with the so called professionals that come to boards like this, that said i was stupid and flogging a dead horse, well i just wanted to say WE were right he got off death row, were still fighting his sentence he still hasnt got what i believe is a fair sentence for his part in the crime, i know one day he will come home "ifeel it" just like i felt he woulld get off the row,
if you truely believe in something go for it!! no matter what !! dont let doubters stop you from believing in your dreams, stay strong and positive it will happen, i know that advice here is good but dont take it as gospel, i dont mean any disrespect to anyone and im sorry if i have offended anyone that was not my intention i just wanted people to know im not the idiot they thought i was, take care nikki

jamnik · #9 02-05-2006, 03:35 PM

A Nashville psychologist, Dr. Richard Taran, said yesterday Styles' reported plans
to marry Mellon could indicate she is blocking herself from having a real, meaningful
relationship.

''She doesn't have to go into herself very deeply,'' said Taran, a clinical psychologist
for 37 years. ''She's got a guaranteed marriage. And no matter what the guy sees,
he's going to marry her.

''She doesn't want reason and logic. She wants to feel the sense of emotion and
purpose, and not real intimacy.''
i forgot this part lol its bullcrap too, i didnt need guaranteed marriage we do have guys here in england but you cant help who you fall in love with can you ? i didnt set out for it to happen, i didnt pick him, like so many penpals are picked, we were matched together by TN co ordinator for H.W oh and i do want intimacy or more of cos we do have it, take care nikki

gemma_22 · #10 02-05-2006, 03:47 PM

Good on you nikki, I will follow my dream to and IT will happen!!! Yeah there are guys in the Uk, but you honestly cant help who you fall in love with, your right on that one!!! Take care .

liberaldog · #11 02-06-2006, 06:30 PM

Well, Im in love with a death row inmate, am I nuts? I dont think so. I have absolutely no problem finding dates with men on the outside, have had several meaningful relationships, I'm not afraid of men. Guess I dont fit the stereotype.
Our love just happened, and Ive never been happier. I see him Saturday, and we are talking about marriage then. Sure, chances are he's never getting out, but that doesnt deter my love. I cant help that I love him, it is what it is.