Farhenheit 451 Revisited?

I’m a student of prison philosophy.  I’ve pretty well seen it all in the quarter century I’ve been incarcerated, and I’m no expert, but I think that qualifies me for something close to a PhD (post hole digger).

This is about security, and don’t get me wrong.  I understand the need for prison security – keep the bad guys in, keep them from obtaining weapons of any kind, illicit drugs, pornography, things of that nature.  I’m not at all opposed to the security of whatever facility is being run for whatever purpose.  So, let’s not go there with the, ‘He’s just upset because he’s locked up’ BS (that doesn’t stand for Bachelor of Science).

But, I’ve come across an anomaly of biblical proportions.  I love books.  I always have, and I always will.  I’ve read nearly every book in our small prison library – some two or three times just to keep them circulating and available. 

Every six months they hold a semiannual lockdown/shakedown.  This is necessary to throw trash away, cleanse the unit of contraband and to sometimes instill order where there is chaos.  I’m not a big fan –  not simply because it’s uncomfortable, stressful, and sometimes (but not always) vindictive on behalf of a few officers who love to go through your property just to take ‘something’ that brings you comfort or happiness.  I’m part of a group of individuals who love books.  We’re getting to my point.

If you have books that aren’t clearly marked as belonging to you from the instant they enter the unit, they pile them up, like so much cordwood, and they throw them in the garbage.  Nuisance contraband…  And I don’t mean a few books.  I mean, literally, hundreds, possibly thousands, of good used books. Books which could easily be rounded up, bagged and sent to Goodwill or some other charitable organization – or the library.  Years ago, almost a decade, they’d confiscate books and put them in the library for times when an inmate couldn’t go to the library or it was closed.  Not anymore. 

It’s like the book by Ray Bradbury, ‘Fahrenheit 451’ when society bans books because they believe them to be evil or dangerous.  

I’ve never seen a book hurt anyone.

I’ve never seen a book change anyone for the worse.

Education is a key ingredient in eliminating ignorance.  If you’re smarter, you’re less likely to reoffend.  You’ll be able to fill out an employment form or an application for aid.  Reading opens up every avenue to the world – and a book never hurt anyone.

ABOUT THE  AUTHOR.  John is currently doing a two-year set off, after 25 years of incarceration.  He is a frequent contributor as well as author of Life Between The Bars, a unique and heartwarming memoir recognized by Terry LeClerc, “This book is so good because each chapter is short, has a point, doesn’t whine. It’s an excellent book.”  John can be contacted at:
John Green #671771
C.T. Terrell Unit A150
1300 FM655
Rosharon, TX 77583

All Posts By John Green.

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Integrity Lost In Pursuit Of Mamou Death Penalty?

‘A Beretta 9mm pistol had been found in the roadway near the two surviving victims.  It was loaded with 12 cartridges in the magazine but no round in the chamber.’  – (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

‘The possibility exists that whoever was armed with the Beretta had simply failed to rack a round in the chamber.’ – (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

That was part of the initial Houston Police Department incident report, as recorded by HPD investigators when describing the scene they arrived upon in the early morning hours of December 7, 1998.   Investigators were called to a shooting that turned out to be the location of a failed drug deal robbery.  Charles Mamou fled that scene in a blue Lexus after his ride sped away without him, as testified to by both surviving witnesses. The police documented what they found at the time, including the loaded Beretta 9mm pistol found next to a man who was shot at the location on Lantern Point in Houston.

What was known by police and the District Attorney’s Office – is the incident began with three men bringing Mary Carmouche to a planned robbery of Charles Mamou on a dark alley.  What happened after that is still unclear, but I will share everything I have learned on this page in the coming weeks.

The Harris County prosecution didn’t exactly describe what they knew of the events, but rather, passionately described a bloodthirsty, premeditated killing spree during closing arguments.  They were trying to persuade the jury that Mamou should be sentenced to death, arguing he presented a continuing danger.  The only things the prosecution could know with certainty was what the two witnesses shared and what the police officers found upon their arrival – a loaded Beretta 9mm pistol beside a man that had been shot.  Other than that, the case against Charles Mamou has more questions than answers, including some information the District Attorney knew and the jury didn’t.

In a case with so many questions and little certainty, a lot of energy was devoted to the description of Charles Mamou in an effort to convince jurors to request the death penalty.

“You know, I know, he will commit criminal acts of violence in the future.  You know he will be a continuing threat.  And we only have to prove he probably will.  But each and every one of you know he would. The only question is when, and who will be the next victim?” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 30

“And what do you know about this defendant?  He’s vicious.   He’s ruthless.  He’s cold-blooded.  He’s manipulative.  He’s a liar, and he’s controlling.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 31

“He tried to murder all four of those people out there, but that was beyond his control.  But for the grace of God, Kevin Walter’s medical records would be an autopsy report with photos.  He almost died.  He severely injured him, and he tried to kill Dion Holley. That was his plan. It was all premeditated.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 33

“His comfort zones are guns and bloodshed and murder.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 36

“It’s only a question of when the next victim will be.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 39

“He devastated and destroyed.  And that’s all he’s ever done, with his drugs, with his guns.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 39

“Premeditation to the max.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 40

“He spends other people’s lives like other people spend money.  That’s his currency, death and destruction.  There is nothing mitigating in this case.  You could search till the cows come home.  You could have everything read back.  You could examine every piece of evidence.  You’ll never find any mitigating in this situation.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 46

“It’s not your fault that you’re here.  We’re here because of him. He placed you in that situation.  He forced you to have to make this decision.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 47

Although Lyn McClellan, the prosecutor, said, ‘You could examine every piece of evidence,’ everything the prosecution knew wasn’t shared with the jury.  Twenty years after the trial – I know more than the jury knew then. 

In addition to the witnesses stating Mamou’s driver left him behind, this is what was known and documented regarding that evening:

 ‘A Beretta 9mm pistol had been found in the roadway near the two surviving victims.  It was loaded with 12 cartridges in the magazine but no round in the chamber.’  (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

‘The possibility exists that whoever was armed with the Beretta had simply failed to rack a round in the chamber.’ (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

I will continue to share what I have learned over the last two years here.  The prosecution secured a death penalty and the case was never again heard on appeal.    Charles Mamou is currently waiting for his execution date. 

Anyone with information related to this case can contact me at kimberleycarter@verizon.net. There is also a facebook page dedicated to sharing the truth.

TO CONTACT CHARLES MAMOU:
Charles Mamou #999333
Polunsky Unit 12-CD-53
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351

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All I Got For Christmas…

I should say, ‘All we got for Christmas,’ because it was actually for every TDCJ prisoner.  The new medical and dental copay is now $13.55 per visit.  That is an enormous savings for us, actually manageable.  Many prisoners who couldn’t, will now seek treatment.

The copay used to be $100 and forced prisoners to choose between medical care and having money to purchase necessities.  A prisoner that received $30 a month would have to pay that entire $30 towards the $100 the day of a doctor visit, and every month thereafter, TDCJ would take half of the prisoner’s monthly $30 until the $100 copay was paid off. This would leave the prisoner $15 towards his monthly necessities. Consider this list of supplies:

1 x Colgate toothpaste $2.75

1 x deodorant $2.50

15 x small bars Dial soap $3.00

1 x writing paper $2.00

10 x postage stamps $5.50

20 x envelopes $.60

Total is $16.35 – too much!!  The prisoner would be forced to remove some vital item(s) to get the list under $15.00, and forget about food to supplement the meager TDCJ meals.  No coffee.  No Christmas cards for loved ones.  All because they had to pay a $100 copay after they caught the flu or got bit by a spider (which happens with disturbing frequency).

A $13.55 copay!   A gift from the Texas legislature, but really from the public and the friends and families of prisoners. Those are the ones that pressured the legislature.  So, thank you all for your effort. The next time I need medical care I can get it without ruining any chance I have of keeping my head above water. 

Merry Christmas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jeremy Robinson is author of The Monster Factory, which he is currently revising. Mr. Robinson lives in a Texas prison and can be contacted at:
Jeremy Robinson #1313930
Polunsky Unit
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351

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“Your Plan Is To Rip Him Off?” – “Right”

Sentenced to die, Charles Mamou has always maintained his innocence.  The prosecution presented an elaborate story of a man who went on a shooting rampage that included a sexual assault.  That story was then shared by the media.

What took place on December 6, 1998, according to witness testimony and actual evidence, began with an attempted robbery.  The prosecution’s witness, Kevin Walter, helped arrange the sham ‘drug deal’ through a cousin from Sunset, Louisiana. Walter testified during the trial regarding the robbery of Charles Mamou. 

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 95:

Q.  You didn’t have any guns?

A.  One.

Q.  One gun?

A.  Exact.

Q.  Terrence Gibson?

A.  Yes.

Q.  And that was going to take care of whatever was necessary in terms of getting the $20,000 from Chucky Mamou, correct?

A.  Correct.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 96:

Q.   Let’s back up for a second.  Tell me – describe to the members of the jury, what was your plan?  Just tell them in your own words, what was the plan to get the money?   Let them know.

A.  See the money, count the money, and see can I walk away with the money.  That was my plan.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 101:

Q.  So if the police weren’t there, you would do whatever it takes to take the money?  Fair statement?  This is all about you getting twenty grand, right?

A.  Right.

Q.  I believe your testimony when Mr. McClellan was talking to you was the plan was to rob the defendant, Charles Mamou, correct?

A.  Correct.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 102:

Q.  So, you’re feeling comfortable that’s where you’re going to rob him, at that store over there?

A.  Yeah, I feel more comfortable off Cavalcade.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 105:

Q.  You never had any intention of giving him any dope?

A.  Right.

Q.  From start to finish, your plan is to rip him off?

A.  Right.

Q.  At some point, when it’s obvious to you that twenty thousand is no longer an issue, according to your testimony, and it’s only forty-five hundred, you’re still wanting to rip him off even for the forty-five hundred?

A.  Yeah.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 112:

Q.  But you had already planned for everybody that was going to meet after you had ripped off Chucky Mamou of his money?

A.  Yes.

After testifying to picking up Mary Carmouche, Kevin Walter continues to describe the plan.  

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 118:

Q.  So you drive all the way from the northeast side of town down to the Bennigan’s, and Miss Carmouche is with you at that time?

A. Yes.

Q.  What is your plan at that point when you’re going to the Bennigan’s?  Can you still see the money, count the money, take the money?

A.  Exactly.

Q.  So you know, when you get to that location, all four of you, that your plan is still to rip him off. Now at this point, do you believe there is still $20,000 at stake?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Okay.  So before you go to Bennigan’s you’re still thinking, twenty grand is what I’m going to be able to walk away from if I pull this off?

A.  Yes.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 120:

Q.  Were you thinking at that point that you’re still going to pull this off, the plot to take his money?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Your thing at that point, as you’re sitting there at the Bennigan’s, is getting closer and closer; we’re finally going to be able to pull this off?

A.  Right, once we count the money.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 121:

Q.  You were just going to rip him off?

A.  That’s what – yeah.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 125:

Q.  You weren’t going to try and rob Mr. Mamou in the middle of the Fiesta store parking lot, were you?

A.  Yes.  If he would have counted the money there, we would have took it.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 126:

Q.  So now we’ve been through several failed attempts to be able to rip him off, correct?

A.  Yeah.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 127:

Q.  That is, now your plan is to go wherever Chucky Mamou drives, and that’s where you’re going to rip him off?

A.  If we followed him, yes.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 141:

Q.  Now, was there a point in time when you decided that it was okay to tell the police what had happened once you realized you weren’t going to be prosecuted for anything, correct?

A.  Correct.

Q.  Is that what caused you to then come forward and say, here’s how – what I was going to do.  Once some police detective shows you, tells you about how we’re not worried about you and this dope case; we’re interested in prosecuting this guy, and that’s the first time you’ve come forward with information, and you had basically explained what you testified to on direct examination?

A.  Right.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 161:

Q.  How were you going to get him to give you the money?

A.  Once we count the money, then we take the money.

Q.  Just going to jump in the car and run?

A.  No.  It was at gunpoint, of course, but it wasn’t no plan.

Q.  Pardon?

A.  If it was going to be at gunpoint, yes, of course, once we count the money.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 164:

Q.  Your testimony was that if it was necessary at some point to have a gunpoint to force the money, you said that was okay, isn’t it?

A.  Yes.

Q.  If the plan came to that, that was okay with you?

A.  No, it was no plan.

Q.  But if it came to that, that was going to be all right, if it meant you getting the $20,000, right?

A.  Yes.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 166:

Q.  You don’t – after it’s obvious that you’re going to be going to Bennigan’s, right, you don’t let Mary Carmouche off; you don’t take her home, do you, before going there?

A.  No. 

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 167:

Q.  When did you see Terrence Gibson with a gun?

A.  Early.

Volume 16 of the Reporter’s Record at page 168:

Q.  But you knew he had a gun?

A.  Yes.

Q.  And you knew that if it came to gunpoint, then so be it, in terms of getting the $20,000 from Chucky Mamou?

A. Yes.

According to the testimony of Kevin Walter, he and his friends intended to rob Charles Mamou on December 6, 1998.    As earlier posted, Kevin Walter also testified that Samuel Johnson, Mamou’s partner in the drug deal, drove away and left Mamou behind once that attempted robbery took place.  According to the only witnesses at the scene, Mamou then fled in the Lexus.

Charles Mamou is out of appeals and waiting for an execution date. 

Anyone with information related to this case can contact me at kimberleycarter@verizon.net. There is also a facebook page dedicated to sharing the truth.

TO CONTACT CHARLES MAMOU:
Charles Mamou #999333
Polunsky Unit 12-CD-53
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351

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Guys Like Me…

Everything I do seems to fail,
And the shit is all to find a way out of my hell.

I sold dope to feed my hunger,
Not just ‘because’.

Ain’t no other way for niggas like me,
No matter how hard I pray or work for such things.

Yeah, I write,
But ain’t nobody paying for that.

Ain’t nobody gives a shit about the things
I write anyway.

Yet I try,
But trying don’t get me out of Hell.

Everything I ever wanted or wished for
Kept from my reach.

Love, opportunity, options,
All too far to grasp.

I’m broken inside
And tired of pretending I’m not.

My life is fucked up,
Not sure where to turn.

Don’t know what to do no more,
Been locked up my entire adult life.

Everything y’all have out there
Has been kept away from me.

Can’t get a hug and a kiss…
Let alone an opportunity.

No one really gives a fuck
About niggas like me.

We’re left in hell to suffer for things
We did when we were kids.

I’m hurting,
And I’m tired of hurting.

I’d die for an hour of freedom,
Just a moment of peace.

The love of a woman,
A hug.

To go for a walk
Not surrounded by gun towers and fences.

To sit with my family,
That’s what life is about…

I’m in a hell,
A hell that isn’t worth living for.

I know now,
Can’t no one help me out of this shit.

Some people come into this world to suffer and die…
And most, unfortunately, look just like me.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Michael Cannon is new to this site, but his feelings struck a chord. I hope we hear more from him. Mr. Cannon can be contacted at:

Michael Cannon #630831
Oaks Correctional Facility
1500 Caberfae Hwy.
Manistee, MI 49660

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Defeat

I don’t know this Mr. Defeat
Of whom you speak.
Chances are me and dude,
We will never meet.
My enemies lie and cheat
To compete with my truth.
You are certainly right,
You don’t know me,
And I don’t know you.
But fact are facts
And real is real.
Yeah, I sold drugs,
But I never robbed or killed.
You say you feel my pain,
How could you
When it’s even too extreme
For me to explain
Without feeling strange.
I mean…
Imagine being buried alive
Not inside oak or pine.
This is concrete and iron,
Sometimes the sun doesn’t shine –
Hold on!
Wait!
Look at me when I am talking to you!
I could easily be YOU!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Rogers LaCaze once lived on Death Row, but was resentenced to life this past week for a crime committed in 1995. He maintains his innocence. Mr. LaCaze can be contacted at:
Rogers LaCaze, Sr. #356705
CBB L/L L.S.P.
Angola, La. 70712

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Charles Mamou – Sentenced In ‘Hang ‘Em High’ Harris County, Texas

Things were different in Harris County, Texas, two decades ago.  It could be said there was a thirst for blood that is less pronounced now.  Charles Mamou will most likely get an execution date in the near future for a case that was prosecuted when securing a death penalty was a badge of honor, celebrated even.  It was more acceptable in the halls of justice at that time to jam the pieces of the puzzle into place if investigators or a prosecutor ‘wanted’ a particular someone for a crime – or throw the pieces out if need be.   Hopefully, things are different now.   Mamou will pay with his life for the climate of the late 90’s, but it’s not too late to share what the prosecution knew when they tried the case. And what they know today for that matter. There was little interest in finding out what happened back when they could have, and a lot of interest in making a guilty verdict stick – which took some doing with no evidence.

Charles Mamou first wrote for this site in March, 2018.  Out of curiosity, I looked up some articles about him after the first few pieces he submitted.  Two things stood out – allegations of sexual assault, some articles saying he was charged with that crime, and a pair of his sunglasses that were reported to have been left near the body.  It had to be true if he left his sunglasses, right?  I envisioned the location to be an abandoned house on a block of old abandoned houses.  It wasn’t until I started reading Mamou’s case file I learned the sunglasses were miles from the body that was found in a residential neighborhood – and the sexual assault?  There is a lot more to that story as well.

Charles Mamou, Jr., was born and raised in Sunset, Louisiana, and early on he began taking care of his family and broke the law to do it.  Like many before him and since, some of his most successful role models were drug dealers.  And so began his life of crime.  He wasn’t a choir boy, but he had a reputation for helping people out.

Houston, Texas, wasn’t Mamou’s stomping ground.  He didn’t know the area like the back of his hand, but his dad lived there, as well as a couple cousins.  He would travel to the area for ‘business’, if you can call it that.  That is why he was there in December, 1998.  He was involved in a transaction that included several other individuals, all of whom were residents of Houston.  He wasn’t even driving his own car on that trip.  He was staying with a couple in their apartment and was being driven by others tied to the same anticipated business transaction. 

The evening of December 6, 1998, was mild and dry.  Lantern Point Drive, where the ‘drug deal’ and attempted robbery eventually took place, had no lights, and according to police, it was a cloudy night.  Samuel Johnson was driving the car Mamou was in.  Terrence Dodson had been a participant in the transaction earlier in the day, but had since gone home.  The car they met on the dark street where it all took place carried four passengers, including Mary Carmouche.

All surviving parties later admitted to their involvement in a drug deal gone wrong, although no one was ever charged with anything involved in that incident other than Charles Mamou, who was charged with kidnapping when he fled the scene after gunfire erupted and his partner drove away without him.   The deceased individual had a loaded gun next to his body, leaving a good argument for self-defense.  Mary Carmouche was driven to the location by three men who were there to rob Mamou, and she was in the back seat of the car he sped away in. 

When security guards arrived shortly after the shooting, which took place around midnight, one man was dead and two were injured.  Both vehicles were gone.

The two surviving men both testified in court that the vehicle Samuel Johnson was driving drove off first – leaving Charles Mamou behind.  Mamou then jumped into the blue Lexus and fled the scene. 

According to the testimony of Kevin Walter, (Volume 16, of the Reporter’s Record at page 137):

Q.  All right. Then where was the blue Lexus at the point you picked up the gun?

A.  Taking off.

Q.  Where was the red car?

A.  Done took off.

Q.  It had taken off before the blue car?

A.  Yes.

Kevin Walter had no reason to lie about which car took off first, and according to his testimony, Samuel Johnson drove away first in the red car – leaving Charles Mamou, who then jumped in the blue Lexus and drove away.

Dion Holley was the other individual who was shot at the scene.  His testimony (Volume 18, of the Reporter’s Record at page 115) was as follows:

Q.  All right. And what did you see?

A.  I saw the red car backing up and turned around in the street, and I saw the blue car leaving off. 

Q.  When you say you saw the red car backing up and turning around, how did they make – if they’re going backwards, how did they turn around and go the other way?  Is it like a three point turn where they stop, back up, and pull around; or is it like a scene on shows where they’re able to hit the brakes and the car spins around?

A.  That’s pretty much how it was.

Q.  So, it was a very quick thing?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Did it appear to you that the red car was trying to get out of there really quick?

A.  That’s correct.

Q.  And then that vehicle was followed by your mom’s Lexus?

A. That’s correct.

Samuel Johnson, the driver of the red car and Mamou’s associate in the deal, later became a suspect in this case.  Although his version of events contradicted all of the witnesses’ testimony, the prosecution went with his description of what took place.  According to Samuel Johnson’s statement to police, he was not concerned about Charles Mamou or the car that could have held the drugs he was there to buy that night.   He was not concerned about the shooting he had been involved in or the girl whose whereabouts he supposedly knew nothing about.  The following is Johnson’s testimony regarding what happened next (Volume 19, of the Reporter’s Record at page 115):

Q.  You go directly home?

A.  Yeah.

Q.  Tell your wife what happened?

A.  No, she was asleep at the time

Q.  Pretty exciting events in our life, isn’t it?

A.  Very exciting.

Q.  You just get in bed and go to sleep?

A.  No, I took a shower.

Q.  Took a shower, and then got in bed and went to sleep?

A.  No, opened me a can of soda and went to bed.

Q.  Talk to anybody that night?

A.  No

The next morning Samuel Johnson got up in his usual fashion and headed to work – where he was employed as an Orkin man, treating homes in the Houston area.

Charles Mamou has always maintained that he followed Samuel Johnson back to the apartments, with Mary Carmouche in the car.  According to Mamou there were other individuals present in the parking lot of the apartments when they arrived, along with himself, the victim and Johnson.   Twenty years later, there are witnesses that support that.

Until his execution, I will be sharing everything I have learned over the last eighteen months.  All of the information will be on a facebook page, Charles Mamou – How Wrongful Convictions Are Made, where I hope to share what the prosecution knew and what the defense failed to share.  There will also be a catagory on this site, ‘Charles Mamou’, where every blog post will be kept.

Anyone with information regarding what took place in December of 1998, please contact me at kimberleycarter@verizon.net. 

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This Is How Monsters Are Made

Human beings that can, at times, be so caring and helpful, thoughtful and graceful, can at other times be so very ugly.  When you place a man amongst a group of men that do not possess the saving graces…  a group of men that is nothing but ugly, things can go very bad.

I often hear on my FM radio snippets of humor.  Or a commercial.  Maybe a child speaking candidly, which is humorous or touching.  I hear a thirty second piece of humanity – a piece of the real world. 

I have lost the laughter of children.  Lost a million tiny human interactions that create warm, happy, positive feelings.  I have gained violence, anger and willful ignorance.   I have gained mean spirited humor and more forms of discrimination than I can name properly.  I have gained a million negative pieces to replace the million positive pieces… and I despair.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  The above is an excerpt from Jeremy Robinson’s, The Monster Factory, which he is currently revising. Jeremy lives in a Texas prison and can be contacted at:
Jeremy Robinson #1313930
Polunsky Unit
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351

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Thanksgiving Brought Me A Goodbye Letter From Death Row

“With time moving so fast and this date looming, I wanted to make sure to let you know…” 

That was part of a letter I got this weekend – a goodbye letter.  Travis Runnels is a very private person and would be very disappointed in me if he knew I shared even that.  He probably won’t find out though, and if it gets one person to call the governor on his behalf or sign his petition – I’ll take the chance.

I tried to imagine what he must feel like, living alone in a box and knowing he will likely be killed before Christmas.  I panicked and became overwhelmed by a feeling of claustrophobia.  I had to shake it off and clear my head.  What I can’t possibly imagine is having to live in that knowledge as the minutes count down.  Why would we do that to anybody?  Whatever twisted emotion takes a hold of someone who intentionally takes a life – is no less twisted because an intentional murder  takes place in a sterile environment by trained staff.  It’s no less of a killing.  If anything it’s even sicker. It’s not brought on by a storm of emotion. It’s planned, well thought out, costly – and includes an audience.

Travis Runnels killed someone and those that thrive on vengeance will rev their engines and cheer at his passing, feeling justified.  I know because I’ve gotten the hate mail.  I can’t help those people.

For the rest of us – please call the Governor of Texas at 512-463-2000 and ask for mercy and this execution not to take place.  Please make your feelings known.  We have to be just as tireless as those that have the energy for vengeance – and in doing so, we will overcome.

There is also a Petition that was started by a very close friend of Travis’, hoping to commute the death sentence to a life sentence. Please sign it.

Words from Death Row…

 “’You know, in my day your kind would’ve never gotten so much generous attention. We simply would’ve brought you out yonder, found a good ole tree to hang ya from. Just one less…’ he was saying just before he cut himself off.”
 – Charles ‘Chucky’ Mamou, Death Row – out of appeals

 “It’s baffling that people can actually believe justice is being served by watching a man being strapped to a table and having an IV inserted into his arm to be filled with poison until it kills him.  Justice…”
– Travis Runnels, Death Row – scheduled to be executed
December 11, 2019

I just heard on the radio they put him to death,
And his last words were, “I can finally rest.”
I feel ya bro, no more pain and misery,
Rest in peace my friend, you’re finally free. 
– Troy Clark, executed by Texas, September 26, 1998

I’d been labeled a murderer by all those that mattered. There’d be no more tedious claims of innocence for doubters to discredit.  There’d be no salvation for people like me as long as there are people like them.  And there’d be no hope of a better tomorrow when my tomorrow was upon me today. 
– Chanton, Death Row

I seen Lil Jack get in that van.
I seen Big Buck get in that van.
I seen Thread get in that van.
I seen Smoke get in that van.
I seen Chester get in that van.
I seen Ross get in that van.
I seen Tick get in that van.
I seen Savage get in that van.
I seen Bones get in that van.
I seen Diaz get in that van.
They won’t get me, ‘cause I have a plan.
I don’t want to kill myself,
I don’t want to kill myself. 
– Pete Russell, Death Row


There is no valid argument for the premeditated taking of a life.

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