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Leaving Death Row

By Jeralyn, Section Death Penalty
Posted on Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 07:10:58 PM EST
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Gary Hart II is one of the 72 juvenile offenders whose life was spared by the Supreme Court decision last month banning the execution of those under 18 at the time of their crime as cruel and unusual punishment. Here's what he has to say about it, beginnng with the phone call from his lawyers.

My new sentence is life without any chance of parole, this sentence was never my goal but I can’t help smiling over the life part. The Simmons ruling saved 72 men nationwide, but in reality the decision saved many more. There are teenagers in jail who won’t face capital punishment, former death row inmates not counted in the 72 because their sentence or conviction had been recently overturned and countless numbers of reckless teenage boys who haven’t committed their crimes yet. Five judges saved all of us. What a difference a day makes!

What kept me alive up to this point was the dedication of my attorneys, fighting the State of Alabama for everything. Every page in my briefs! Every issue! Every day! Thank you! The only thing that kept me sane was the love shown to me by my mother and friends, those inside and outside this prison. Thank you!

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    Leaving Death Row | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 09:44:46 PM EST
    Got away with murder.

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 09:51:35 PM EST
    Except for the whole life in prison with no chance of parole part.

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 22, 2005 at 04:03:18 AM EST
    It's really odd that someone actually thinks that person is not being punished. The death penalty diminishes us all- visit my blog.

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#4)
    by Kitt on Fri Apr 22, 2005 at 04:45:08 AM EST
    June: "Got away with murder." What interesting 'insight.'

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#5)
    by cp on Fri Apr 22, 2005 at 07:29:49 AM EST
    june, have you ever actually been in a prison, at any level? i don't know if this is still done, but when i was in high school, as part of my senior year, they took us on a tour of the local county prison. it was not a pleasant place, even at that level. those guys didn't appear to be having fun at all, not to mention the ugly clothes. this was just the county lock-up, for 30 day or less sentences: d&d's, etc. i didn't even want to go to the state facility. convinced me i didn't want to be there. now, imagine spending not just 30 days, but the rest of your natural (probably shortened) life in one. not a pretty picture. i wonder how many lifers commit suicide in jail? if that's "getting away with murder", i'll pass.

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#6)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Apr 22, 2005 at 07:34:29 AM EST
    Troll alert. Thanks June. Reality is down the hall on your left!

    Re: Leaving Death Row (none / 0) (#7)
    by Richard Aubrey on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 07:20:26 AM EST
    What is the reference to reckless teenage boys who haven't committed a crime yet?

    Leaving Death Row | 7 comments (7 topical)