What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #2
Dublin Core
Title
What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #2
Subject
Death row community
Death row inmates
Anti-death penalty movement
Prisoners as journalists
Prison literature
Death row inmates
Anti-death penalty movement
Prisoners as journalists
Prison literature
Description
This is the second issue of the What's Happening Newsletter, published in November 1991. The Coordinator for this issue is Joseph B. Nicholas Bey. Article titles and a short synopisis of the articles are listed below.
Introduction
A couple of sentances describing the purpose, and the intended role it serves within the community. The introduction lists Jopseph B. Nichols-Bey as the head coordinator, and appeals for other inmates to share their stories with newsletter. "An informed community is a strong community."
Farewell
The two following articles discuss the recent exution of James "Sugarman" Russell. The first article list how the execution played out, and the aftermath of the execution. Russell did not tell his other about his upcoming execution, and instead called and talked to her an hour before he was executed, telling her "everything is going to be alright". After the execution, Mrs. Russell became ill and was hospitalized. She underwent open heart surgery, and at the time of publication, was recovering. The article discusses how inmates can send a cart, and/or a cross to Mrs. Russel to "offer her moral support, and to wish her well". After publication, it was revealed Mrs. Russell died only moths after her sons's execution.
The second article includes a farewell statement by James Russell, directed to the death row community. This statement was written the day before his execution:
"If I don't get a stay by the 11th hour, in my heart I will close my eyes and take your love beyond this madness with me, where I'll build a more beautiful tower of love and compassion in the sky. So dont be sad, that after 17 years of struggling against the tide my little stream has been consumed by the sea, because we shall meet again and sing an ever sweeter song; so, my friends, farewell. I am ready. The state can not murder me anymore. I love you."
Individual Updates
The next two articles contain updates on the trial processes of two inmates on death row: Roger Leroy DeGarmo, and Johm Dee Matson Jr. DeGarmo's case was confirmed by the Texas Court of Criminal appeals, and his case is now under review. Matson's case was overturned by the Crimal Court of Appeals, and the CCA ordered a retrial. This retrial is due to the judge's failure to allow an expert witness to testify that Matson would "probably not be dangerous to the public in the future".
Death Row Facts and Fugures
The issue includes some information about the death row population size at the time of publication, and the "number of murders cimmitted by the state".
Legal News and Notes
This article includes new legal information about the Texas Criminal Court of appeals regarding Salvage v. Colline, and it's affect on the "Penry claims".
Only in America
The author of this article discusses an article he read in the Dallas newspaper regarding juvenile execution rates in Texas and in the United State. Texas law allows for individuals who are 17 at the age of their trial to be tried as an adult. According to the article, at the time of publication, there are 31 youths on death row, 7 of which are located in Texas.
Hospitality House
This article discusses the Hospitality House charity, and how it helps death row inmates' loved ones. The Hospitality House is run by the Texas Baptist Prison Family Ministry Foundation, and offers up temporary living for families and visitors of inmates. A donation is required, and is used to keep the House in operation. The overall goal of of the Hospitality House is to "minister to physical and spiritual needs" and "encourage and strenghten family relationships."
Introduction
A couple of sentances describing the purpose, and the intended role it serves within the community. The introduction lists Jopseph B. Nichols-Bey as the head coordinator, and appeals for other inmates to share their stories with newsletter. "An informed community is a strong community."
Farewell
The two following articles discuss the recent exution of James "Sugarman" Russell. The first article list how the execution played out, and the aftermath of the execution. Russell did not tell his other about his upcoming execution, and instead called and talked to her an hour before he was executed, telling her "everything is going to be alright". After the execution, Mrs. Russell became ill and was hospitalized. She underwent open heart surgery, and at the time of publication, was recovering. The article discusses how inmates can send a cart, and/or a cross to Mrs. Russel to "offer her moral support, and to wish her well". After publication, it was revealed Mrs. Russell died only moths after her sons's execution.
The second article includes a farewell statement by James Russell, directed to the death row community. This statement was written the day before his execution:
"If I don't get a stay by the 11th hour, in my heart I will close my eyes and take your love beyond this madness with me, where I'll build a more beautiful tower of love and compassion in the sky. So dont be sad, that after 17 years of struggling against the tide my little stream has been consumed by the sea, because we shall meet again and sing an ever sweeter song; so, my friends, farewell. I am ready. The state can not murder me anymore. I love you."
Individual Updates
The next two articles contain updates on the trial processes of two inmates on death row: Roger Leroy DeGarmo, and Johm Dee Matson Jr. DeGarmo's case was confirmed by the Texas Court of Criminal appeals, and his case is now under review. Matson's case was overturned by the Crimal Court of Appeals, and the CCA ordered a retrial. This retrial is due to the judge's failure to allow an expert witness to testify that Matson would "probably not be dangerous to the public in the future".
Death Row Facts and Fugures
The issue includes some information about the death row population size at the time of publication, and the "number of murders cimmitted by the state".
Legal News and Notes
This article includes new legal information about the Texas Criminal Court of appeals regarding Salvage v. Colline, and it's affect on the "Penry claims".
Only in America
The author of this article discusses an article he read in the Dallas newspaper regarding juvenile execution rates in Texas and in the United State. Texas law allows for individuals who are 17 at the age of their trial to be tried as an adult. According to the article, at the time of publication, there are 31 youths on death row, 7 of which are located in Texas.
Hospitality House
This article discusses the Hospitality House charity, and how it helps death row inmates' loved ones. The Hospitality House is run by the Texas Baptist Prison Family Ministry Foundation, and offers up temporary living for families and visitors of inmates. A donation is required, and is used to keep the House in operation. The overall goal of of the Hospitality House is to "minister to physical and spiritual needs" and "encourage and strenghten family relationships."
Creator
What's Happening staff
Source
Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Publisher
Endeavor Project
Date
November 1991
Contributor
Joseph B. Nichols-Bey
James "Sugarman" Russell
Gary "T" Graham (Shaka Sankofa)
James "Sugarman" Russell
Gary "T" Graham (Shaka Sankofa)
Rights
This material is made available for education and research purposes only. The creator of this exhibit does not own the rights for these items; it cannot grant or deny permission to use this material. Copyright law protects unpublished as well as published materials. It is your responsibility to determine the rights status and secure whatever permission may be needed for the use of any item. Due to the nature of archival collections, rights information may be incomplete or out of date. We welcome updates or corrections. Upon request, we'll remove material from public view while we address a rights issue.
Relation
Texas Death Row Collection- Endeavor Folder
Language
English
Type
Newsletter
Coverage
Ellis Correctional Unit, Huntsville, Texas
Citation
What's Happening staff, “What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #2,” Hidden Histories UT-Austin, accessed November 21, 2024, https://hiddenhistoriesut.org/items/show/213.
Comments