"Lost Morals"

As a death row Inmate, rarely do I get to hear actual opinions from the public concerning the death penalty. I did have an opportunity recently and for the most part I was shocked at how ignorant some people can be about this subject. The question posed was: “Did they think that the death penalty (executions), should be stopped unti1 they could fix all the mistakes (so to speak)” ! Some who called in were in favor of this because they didn't feel a chance should be taken for an Innocent man to be executed. I was glad to hear this because it showed that not all the public are blind to the fact that it may be happening. But unfortunately the other callers were not so sympathetic to justice. These are the ones who are enraged with pain and vengeance, people who are stuck on one thing no matter what. They want blood!

And just because 12 men and women say that you are the one who did the crime doesn't exactly mean that you are rightfully the person. I mean the 100 or so who have been released from death row should prove that. And more and more people are being set free due to new evidence, all because people with good sense took the time to stop and did a little research. And the people who don' t want this to happen can think about the juveniles who are being railroaded through the system. Teens who could be a part of their family; innocent or not.

Well, I guess the question could be turned around on me, and my answer would be to end the killing. I will not get any more satisfaction out of seeing a person die than I would knowing that he is in a place where every day of his life will be torture.

And until we obtain some sense and morals and realize that any type of killing is wrong it will be one continuous ignorant cycle of killing.

Stop the executions and impose a moratorium.

Thank you,

Matt Hyde Z-605
cell 5-D-9
Holman, 3700
Atmore, AL36503

Written February, 2003

"The Right Not to Extradite"

In an attempt to push for abolition of the death penalty in the U.S. a council was formed to govern how the European countries view the use of capital punishment, as well as other human rights violations. This council has found many critical flaws such as racism, unjust political figures, executions of juvenile offenders, and the convictions and executions of proven innocent men.

It is known that the U.S. has been removed from the Human Rights Council held by the United Nations, and as a result of this action the U.S. has let it be known that the most supreme country in the world has no concern for just human rights. And with the knowledge that a person will be treated in an inhumane way in the U.S.; why would any country that has abolished capital punishment, willingly allow the extradition of a person subject to the death penalty? They shouldn't, but after promises of not extraditing, countries are being pressured by the U. S. government to allow extradition. And as long as America keeps a strong hold on countries by threatening to cite sanctions against these countries were they not allow the U.S. to retrieve the prisoners. The European Union can not allow itself to be bullied by America in their fight to abolish the death penalty.

Instead, its America who should be sanctioned by the U.K., as well as the European Union, in order to resolve an issue that lies at the center of the violation of human rights. Refusals to extradite and boycotts of international business relations. The U.S. has to be made to realize that more is at stake by killing its convicted citizens. But, until these two powerful and influential councils decide to make the decision to withhold on the U.S. until it is in agreement with International Human Rights Laws and stick to their decision permanently, the U.S. will continue to violate the laws that they see themselves above.

Matt Hyde Z-605
cell 5-D-9
Holman, 3700
Atmore, AL36503

Written February 2003

Something to think about

Words from death row......

For a full list of articles written by Juveniles on Alabama's Death Row, go to the complete list of titles at Stories.