For two years, WITS has shared the story of Charles Mamou, two decades on death row and awaiting an execution date.  In those two years, this site has shared a letter written by the key witness that the jury never saw, rape kit results the DA had that Mamou never knew existed, phone records the DA had that Mamou never knew existed, documentation of biological evidence being signed out in the case with no explanation or accountability, missing statements and/or interviews, witness interviews from 2019 indicating Mamou was exactly where he said he was twenty years ago when he last saw Mary Carmouche and more.  Yet – he awaits execution. 
I recently asked him, ‘How has it impacted you, knowing the lengths Harris County went to in order to sentence you to die?’

Since I’ve been on Texas’ Death Row, where reading is the only natural form of entertainment, I have read a lot of history books.  When I think of my situation, there is little difference between 1898 and 1998 – I was just a young, dumb, poor black kid who stood alone.  I wasn’t the first, and I wasn’t the last.  It was the norm.  Racist and overzealous prosecutors saw me and those that look like me the same, ‘a menace to society’, deplorable and judicially dispensable, while off-colored jokes were made in the locker room, no one having the gumption to tell them in public.

Here’s what I want people to know.   Even after I was convicted and sentence to die by a jury that looked nothing like me, I still blew it off.  ‘I’ll win on appeal, cause there is no way I won’t get action’.  I didn’t know an appeal is just a maze of malleable interpretations of laws, many not even heard on appeal, getting ‘procedurally barred’.  The system only works if you have the money to move it in your favor. 

I knew one thing in 1998.  I didn’t bring Mary to that night.  I didn’t kidnap Mary.  I didn’t kill Mary.  And I sure as hell didn’t rape her.   My lawyers didn’t care about me at all, told me that in five years I would win my case on appeal.  I believed what I was told.  Then five turned to ten and ten to twenty, and I realized America wasn’t about the truth.  The D.A. had evidence during trial that their own witness’ were lying – but said nothing.   Phone records show phone calls were being made all night, but both men claimed they were asleep. 

I’m not the first man to sit innocent on Death Row.  I know the real meaning of HATE and what it feels and tastes like to be hated.  The difference between me and them – I don’t hide from who I was and who I am.  And in case anyone wants to know – you’re damn right, I’m mad. 

All posts and details of this case, including phone records that were not shared with the defense, a letter from the ‘key witness’ stating he didn’t know anything, and how Mamou was even accused of an unsolved murder during his trial can be found here.  Anyone with information regarding this case can contact me at kimberleycarter@verizon.net. There is also a facebook page dedicated to sharing the truth. Share his story.

TO CONTACT CHARLES MAMOU:
Charles Mamou #999333
Polunsky Unit 12-CD-53
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351
Mamou can also be contacted through JPay via email, but please include your mailing address if you contact him this way, as he can only respond through the mail.