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Post by legallybrunette on Oct 12, 2007 18:05:46 GMT -5
Reading some of the posts about long time penpals being executed, I really panic; I don't know how devastated I would be if my penpal were to be executed. I keep hoping he will get a re-trial and then just have life to replace the DP. I don't think he would be able to re-adjust to life outside having spent more than half his life on DP. Anyway, I suspect he will never accept he did the wrong and it could not reasonably be blamed on the fact his mother didn't buy him everything he ever wanted as a kid or that his dad nagged him a lot. Normally minded people don't go out and murder cold bloodedly, just 'cos they were nagged a bit much by a pushy dad!! Never said that to my penfriend though. Why disturb him more than he is already just to prove my point after all. I think it is really wise to make a careful selection of your penpal but frankly, like any relationship, you only discover the real person u are writing to, as time goes on and more is revealed in their correspondence.
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Post by blackstar on Jul 5, 2008 4:31:49 GMT -5
I do, well, at least I did. I wrote a couple of letters to Michael Perry, on Texas DR.
I haven't replied for a few moths now, because I was getting too much involved. Yet I feel I should pick up that pen and paper and write him again. I haven't ever read letters, so well thought of, in my life.
The criteria were that the inmate was on DR on doubtful suspicions. I believe he knows more than he's letting on, but he is not a killer, and he certainly doesn't diserve to die.
After having an argument on off2dr, which I have ended myself on a good note yesterday, I am even more convinced I should write and support him again. He was losing faith the last time he wrote me, and that moved me badly...
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Post by levigem on Jul 5, 2008 9:30:47 GMT -5
I wrote to Napoleon Beazley Texas for 2 years b4 he was killed in 2002. I agree with black star. The writing of Napoleon was thoughtful, intellagent, kind, funny every thing you wouldnt expect for a killer. He di do his crime and he did pay for it in the worse way possible but we became very gd friends and passed many many hours writing fantastic letters to each other. Its hard not to be pulled into there world 100% but it was so so sad when i died .............
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Post by briseis on Jul 5, 2008 9:46:28 GMT -5
I do, and have been for a number of years.
Blackstar, while I fully applaud your writing to a DR inmate, and indeed encourage it, please think carefully before writing to this inmate again. Inmates are people with feelings; only EVER write to an inmate with the full intention of continuing to write to them for as long as they want you to.
Many inmates have trust issues due to being let down by family, friends and indeed penpals, who write for a while, and then the novelty wears off and they stop writing. To the inmate who is caged for 23 hours a day, these letters mean everything to them, and your stopping writing to that inmate would have had a negative impact of him, and made him feel brushed aside, ignored, unwanted ... and he may find it difficult to trust you again, even if you did start writing.
Believe me, I know. I've been writing to inmates who have told me of these sporadic penpals before, and it took me many months for my current penpal to learn to trust that I'd keep writing to him, after so many had let him down. He used to write 'I pray that I will hear from you again' at the end of each letter. He was so convinced I'd stop writing. But I haven't, and I never would.
Our purpose for writing is to keep them upbeat, positive, fighting their cruel sentences ... and not to let them down.
So please, think carefully before writing again. This should be a commitment which could potentially last for years and years ...
My hopes are that you will write and continue writing for as long as the inmate wants you to or needs you to.
This message is not meant as criticism, but as advice for the good of the inmate, all of whom I care deeply for.
Kind Regards
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Post by pumpkinpie on Jul 5, 2008 18:08:46 GMT -5
I do, well, at least I did. I wrote a couple of letters to Michael Perry, on Texas DR. I haven't replied for a few moths now, because I was getting too much involved. Yet I feel I should pick up that pen and paper and write him again. I haven't ever read letters, so well thought of, in my life. The criteria were that the inmate was on DR on doubtful suspicions. I believe he knows more than he's letting on, but he is not a killer, and he certainly doesn't diserve to die. After having an argument on off2dr, which I have ended myself on a good note yesterday, I am even more convinced I should write and support him again. He was losing faith the last time he wrote me, and that moved me badly... You feel you were getting too involved? Why did you write in the first place then if you didn't want to be involved? You mention that site off2dr, as if it influenced your decision in continuing to write this man. I agree with brieses.... I'm not sure you should write him again because you seem unsure of your feelings altogether on this.
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Post by blackstar on Jul 6, 2008 4:52:50 GMT -5
@pumpkin
No no, you got it wrong there. Off2dr hasn't influenced me at all. I only registred 3 weeks ago and I stopped writing 2 months ago.
But I consider the things you write. It only makes me feel even more guilty... Yet I think I will write back, but indeed only on the condition that I continue to do so. But please, don't think I m hesitating because of a bunge of sour people who do want him dead.
I'll send him some money and a letter, if he doesn't reply, well, I won't blame him. If he does, than I will remind myself of the things you just said to me and I want to thank you for your reply.
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Post by heckster on Sept 7, 2008 13:34:33 GMT -5
I do, and have been for a number of years. Blackstar, while I fully applaud your writing to a DR inmate, and indeed encourage it, please think carefully before writing to this inmate again. Inmates are people with feelings; only EVER write to an inmate with the full intention of continuing to write to them for as long as they want you to. Many inmates have trust issues due to being let down by family, friends and indeed penpals, who write for a while, and then the novelty wears off and they stop writing. To the inmate who is caged for 23 hours a day, these letters mean everything to them, and your stopping writing to that inmate would have had a negative impact of him, and made him feel brushed aside, ignored, unwanted ... and he may find it difficult to trust you again, even if you did start writing. Believe me, I know. I've been writing to inmates who have told me of these sporadic penpals before, and it took me many months for my current penpal to learn to trust that I'd keep writing to him, after so many had let him down. He used to write 'I pray that I will hear from you again' at the end of each letter. He was so convinced I'd stop writing. But I haven't, and I never would. Our purpose for writing is to keep them upbeat, positive, fighting their cruel sentences ... and not to let them down. So please, think carefully before writing again. This should be a commitment which could potentially last for years and years ... My hopes are that you will write and continue writing for as long as the inmate wants you to or needs you to. This message is not meant as criticism, but as advice for the good of the inmate, all of whom I care deeply for. Kind Regards what a brilliant posting , captured my thoughts totally. you are top person.
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Post by valerie on Jan 30, 2009 0:48:28 GMT -5
I would like to see the CCADP penpal list of those on death rows updated so that those who have been executed are removed, or otherwise noted. I was going to write to Bobby Wilcher, a Mississippi death row member I found on CCADP. After doing some more searching to learn a bit about him I found out he had been executed more than 30 months earlier. It takes a lot of courage and 'putting yourself out there,' to write to anyone you don't know, and it would have broken my heart had I written to him and later found out he was no longer with us. Actually, I'm still quite stunned to find out he's gone.
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Ellen
New Arrival
Posts: 9
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Post by Ellen on Apr 28, 2009 20:46:07 GMT -5
Hello Warden, it has been a long, long time. I have missed this site more than anything. It was such a comfort to me and I have been without a computer for all this time. I have one at school, but of course this site is blocked. I appreciate all those that take the time to write to the inmates on DR. Anything that can give them some peace, is a blessing. Judging someone is not for us to do that's for sure. I know that the ones that wrote Lonnie were what kept his chin up. He loved getting letters from those that supported him and was against the DP. I appreciated all the support and love that those people showed him and to my family. All of you that have penpals keep writing and keep their faith up. I believe that Texas is about to do away with the DP and I want them to have hope. Most of all I want them to get their hearts right and believe that they will be forgiven and can spend eternity in Heaven if only they ask. To me that is the most important thing and if they have positive people and constant fellowship with Christain people that truly know forgiveness and love, then they too will feel it.
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Post by pumpkinpie on Apr 28, 2009 20:59:50 GMT -5
Hello Warden, it has been a long, long time. I have missed this site more than anything. It was such a comfort to me and I have been without a computer for all this time. I have one at school, but of course this site is blocked. I appreciate all those that take the time to write to the inmates on DR. Anything that can give them some peace, is a blessing. Judging someone is not for us to do that's for sure. I know that the ones that wrote Lonnie were what kept his chin up. He loved getting letters from those that supported him and was against the DP. I appreciated all the support and love that those people showed him and to my family. All of you that have penpals keep writing and keep their faith up. I believe that Texas is about to do away with the DP and I want them to have hope. Most of all I want them to get their hearts right and believe that they will be forgiven and can spend eternity in Heaven if only they ask. To me that is the most important thing and if they have positive people and constant fellowship with Christain people that truly know forgiveness and love, then they too will feel it. Hi Ellen, Welcome back, even though I don't remember you! You must have been here before my time. What a nice post that was, and I agree with it. "Judging people" is not for us to do. Who is Lonnie, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks again for returning, and for putting up such a nice post!
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Ellen
New Arrival
Posts: 9
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Post by Ellen on Apr 28, 2009 21:54:10 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the warm welcome. Lonnie was my husband and he was executed in May of 2005. This site was such a comfort. It was alot of things! LOL Those that are still here can remember the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, for sure it was all in support of me and my family. I felt a comfort zone here like no other place. The world can be cruel to those of us that has had someone executed. Most of it is because that have never taken the time to get to know someone that has had to face that. A lot of it is because people that say they believe in the DP, only want to hear about it and not witness it. Actually, the majority do not want to hear about it. Just do it, but do not talk about it. Well, that is not how it works for us that have to live it. Live it the entire time our love ones on sitting there, live that dreaded 3 day walk to death and then the final day of execution. What a horrible time to have to bare. This site gave me a place to come and feel like everyone here was going thru my pain with me. You know the truth is, they were and still do. What a support group! Even those that wanted to vent as pros were considerate and respectful. We all have a right to believe what we want to. That is why I am proud to be an American. I just think we need to be respectful of other and try to understand why they think the way they do. You cannot understand and comment on things you know nothing about. You must learn from those that know first hand and then you have a choice to believe how you want to. We need to see both sides from each others eyes, and then respectfully choose to remain and change. Thanks again for you post!!!!
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Post by illusionist on Dec 14, 2011 9:59:08 GMT -5
Hello from Tokyo,sorry about bumping. My First penfriend in prison is in Texas DR.And I began to write him since this March,,(at the same time Japan was disaster)I didn't know what he did at the point,I just send him a message because he looks like just a middle age man.So,I send a short greet for him.
As I found in other thread,I have fear what to write and what I should not, While writing dairy funny story,many things which is opposite those one came to my mind. With my English Skill,I cannot write too complicated things,so I'll be go on sending some fun for his e Reading legallybrunette and blackstar's 2008's conversation gave me a feeling maybe same one legallybrunette wrote.. I didn't write Mr.Michael Perry but I was supporting him..
What I've read (inmate's writing)are,mostly activist type,naturally,but my friend is far from those type.Accidental friendship:)
Ellen,I hope your pain will ease someday..
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