Someone emailed this to me recently. It is an article written by convicted murderer Darlie Lynn Routier, who is currently on death row in Texas.

Obviously it was not written as a plea for her innocence, but to reflect her opinion of the current judicial system in Texas and the United States. However, as I read this I am quite sickened by her attitude. I find myself talking to her as I read it:

by Darlie Lynn Routier

Please allow me to share with each of you my sincere appreciation for all the love, support, and encouragement each of you has given me throughout this ordeal. Never for one moment do I want to take for granted the kindness you have each shown me. Your friendship helps me endure every day in this hell that I am living. (The hell you yourself brought on, Darlie.)

Each day I spend within our r system's walls opens my eyes to new revelations. I see our society from a different prospective. The hate and quick judgment of others (et tu, Darlie?) and how human life has become so easily expendable is hard to tolerate. Yet I know it is not too late. Love is a powerful word and emotion. I am not talking only about the love between a man and a woman, but all the forms of love that exist. There is love between a parent and child (do you know what this is, Darlie?), sibling and friends, but also the greatest love of all from our Lord Jesus who died on the cross for each and every one of us. (Again, do you know this Love, Darlie?)

Each of us needs just to reach deep within ourselves and not be afraid to reach out to others and share this love. We need to comfort and listen and just show that we care. We need to let others know that their life has a value.

Our prison system has deterred (detoured?) away from the very reason it was designed and that was to rehabilitate inmates. (No, it was NOT designed to rehabilitate - but to banish, correct and punish. Read the history of our judicial system.) Do you even know that the system is now change from "Texas Department of Corrections" to "Texas Department of Criminal Justice", completely deleting the "corrections".(Sounds like you are making MY point, Darlie) The system has become a money-making political revolving door (Money making? Then how come my taxes go up to pay for more prisons?). Does society even realize what is taking place throughout our prison system? You could be caught up in this system as I am at any given moment. (Not unless I murder someone, I won't.)

Inmates are stripped nude in fields coming in from work, they are forced to publicly shower, dress and use the bathroom in dorms that hold anywhere from 30 to 100 inmates! Some inmates are locked into cells that are 6' x 9' and are then only given 1-3 hours outside of that cell. Can you just close your eyes and imagine being confined to a 6' x 9' room with nothing day after day, week after week, month after month, even years at a time! (Sounds like a good deterrent, to me.) Our system then releases these inmates back into society and they are then full of anger, humiliation and a sense of no hope or direction. It is my guess that approximately 96% of prison inmates will eventually be released back into society. (You guess? Where did this come from? Are we believe everything you say just because you say it?)

We desperately need to look beyond punishment and get back to rehabilitation. (No, YOU desperately want US to look beyond punishment.) We need to promote family growth, education, self-esteem and a desire to want to change to better themselves. Texas rehabilitation is very inadequate to the real problems that are currently within our system. We as a society can help change this. It is, after all, our system. (No, not your system, Darlie. You've given up many of your rights (i.e, voice in government) for your actions of June 1996.)

Death Row, what about the men and women on Death Row? What about the fact that there are innocent people who have been placed on Death Row?!? (But, Darlie, there is no proof that innocent people have been executed. Therefore the appellate system works.) Even consider the people who are on Death Row who have committed the crime(s) for which they are incarcerated. Pam Perillo, Michael Sharp, Karla Tucker, just a few who have confessed to their crimes, yet many years after being in the system, they have rehabilitated themselves completely through the love and mercy of our Lord (Just because someone says they're sorry doesn't preclude their punishment) I have seen them reach out and put other's lives before their own. (That shows class and unselfishness, but not rectify their actions.) They have shown compassion, love, and understanding and they have proven that they are NOT a continuing threat to society (a stipulation that the State is supposed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to be able to sentence to death) and have only been people who are truly remorseful for the crimes they committed. (Again, remorse does not remove the responsibility for one's actions, nor the consequence of that action.)

These are the people who the State of Texas wants to MURDER. (punish, you mean, through execution) Will this bring justice, peace, or healing to the victims' families? (Justice, yes. Peace. Probably. Healing. Normally.) Study after study has proven that not to be true. (Name one.) No matter how we want to turn our heads or sugarcoat the issue, the death penalty is MURDER (No, it's punishment.). So WE are murdering people for their acts of murder???? (No, not WE, Darlie, but the rest of us, the law-abiding citizens. You have no say in your government any longer.) How does this make sense or deter crime?? (Darlie, making sense isn't your strong point, dear. And as far as deterring crime: if we knew we would die as a consequence of killing someone else, how many do you think would intentionally kill? And besides, no executed murderer ever killed again.) Our history and the world's history shows it does not at all deter or lower the crime rate. (Disagree, wholeheartedly.) It certainly doesn't give our children and future generations a good message! (What message? You mean about us being responsible for our own actions or that punishment follows crime?) Besides, I, for one, know that they will even execute innocent people. (Oh? They haven't executed a proven-innocent person during the past 100 years. Why would they start now? And, how to you KNOW this?)

I hope you all know where I stand on this issue. Believe it or not, each of you has the responsibility to end this barbaric act. (We each have the responsibility to ensure our criminals are punished you mean, right?) You need to become involved and have the courage to speak out against what you know is wrong. This is unconditional love that each of you has.

Where do you begin? Write letters, speak out publicly, and join organizations. Many more people are speaking up and taking a firm stand. (You're right. I am speaking up and taking a firm stand. Thanks to you.) Please join them.

An eye for an eye is Old Testament. Under this law people could be executed for adultery, murder, theft, working on the Sabbath, etc. But under the New Testament, we are forgiven with a covenant with Christ. (Christ has forgiven us (those who believe) for sins that would otherwise prevent us from a fellowship with Christ. Christ never said to let criminals go free and without punishment, did he? Did he even use His time on the Cross to tell the population that execution was wrong? He had a perfect chance at that time to plead with the government to stop executing for crimes committed. The person hanging next to him didn't deserve his punishment, did he? Yet Christ said "This day you shall be with me in paradise" not "Oh you poor man! You don't deserve this!") "How much do you love me?" I asked Jesus and Jesus said, "This much...." then he stretched out his arms and died......... (But Christ will not forgive you unless you ask forgiveness of your sins, Darlie. Not to me, but to Him.)

November, 1997