Death Row - Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers to Death Row Inmate Raleigh Porter Continued

Questions and Answers from Death Row
No one in prison has access to the Internet. All questions are asked and answered by regular mail. No prisoner can get your email address. Every email address is kept confidential for obvious reasons. Parents and kids we are sorry about the terrible language on this page! No more hate mail will be put on this site. If you have a legit question then ask it, if you have comments they will not be answered.

Mr.Porter, we in the public hear alot of jokes and foul comments about the issue of prisoner rape, and the sexual behavior of prison inmates. I have always wondered how much truth there is to it all, until I came upon the "Prisoner Rape" WebPages in which many, many different inmates describe in graphic detail just how prevalent and horribly out of control the rape crisis is behind bars. Since you have first-hand experience of living in that environment, I am very interested in hearing your perspective on this issue, and in knowing your opinion as to just how prevalent rape and homosexual behavior really are in prisons today. Also, only if you felt comfortable in sharing it, I would like to know if you were ever raped or sexually assaulted while in prison, or if you have ever been the perpetrator of that kind of behavior. Also, have you been involved in consenting homosexual experiences during the twenty years you've been incarcerated? Once again, please feel free not to answer any of these questions. I am just interested to hear from someone with first-hand experience; someone who won't simply tell us what they believe we would want to hear. Thanks, Tony Beagan
My twenty years here have been spent in a single man cell. But rape in prison is nothing new. Life in prison is different than the free world. In prison there is a dog eat dog mentality where the strong take advantage of the weaker inmates. If you asked most of the guys that will rape another man, if they are homosexual, they'd say "no". Just like most of the people that participate in homosexual activity in prison would not do the same in the free world. You have to realize that once anyone walks through the doors of a prison, they have entered another world where standards are different.

Mr.Porter, I am a 45 year old business man, am married with two teenage sons, and am just a couple of years older than you. When I think back to 20 years ago, when I was a 25 year old kid just starting my business, I can look back and realize just how much has changed in these past two decades. You know, people, attitudes and the like. As I read through these questions and answers, I see how you repeatedly claim to be a different person, and feel you do not deserve the punishment handed to you in a courtroom 20 years ago. In short, I am disappointed to note that you really have not changed all that much, and seem to be as selfish and cold hearted as you were when you committed your crimes. You need to grow up fast and realize that you forfeited your own life the moment you viciously took away the lives of that innocent elderly couple. Sorry, it is not society that decided to kill you, rather you decided to take your own life, as well as the lives of two completely innocent people, who had absolutely no say in the matter. If you really had changed, you would bravely face your responsibility here and understand that your fate was ultimately decided by you, and nobody else but you, and you'd take it like a man, with at least some measure of dignity and respect. But you don't sound like someone who is truly remorseful for the intentional deaths of two people. You sound more like a spoiled child who whines endlessly when he can't get what he wants. It's as if you feel the laws in our society don't apply to you, and that you actually deserve to live after what you did. Can't you see how coldhearted it is when you speak about your cell being too hot and not having enough pictures of your family, while your victims have nothing and will never have anything? You've had life for 20 years after their deaths, you've got to write to and visit with your kids, while they have nothing. And I bet you don't like being directly challenged by someone like me, who is not afraid to tell you like it is. I ask you to show me you have some guts and reply these questions I am asking about why you whine about everything and don't just take it like a man. I'd like to see if you have anything intelligent to say in your own defense of yourself and your actions. Doug Sharwell (will check back for your reply)
There is nothing I could say to satisfy you or any number of other people. No matter what I'd say, you would say that I didn't mean it, that I wasn't sincere enough, or too little, too late. That is not the purpose of this site. As for what I say about conditions, well the next time some politician talks about how well inmates have it, you can call him a liar because you know better. So in spite of what you think of me, you've managed to learn something. If I die, then I die. So what, that doesn't make it right.

Don't know if you watch the news, but six days ago on Aug.11 the 19 year old kid who killed Ennis Cosby(Bill Cosby's son) during a botched robbery attempt was put away for life without parole. His crime is similar to yours, and they think he'll be torn apart and killed in American prison. What are your thoughts on this? As a killer yourself, what do you believe his punishment should be? And why????
People want to think that he will be torn apart by other prisoners. Did he do anything to them? How he will be treated in prison will be up to him. Didn't Bill Cosby express his feelings, the same way M. Jordan did? That they didn't want a sentence of death? Why can't people honor their wishes? He will never get out of prison. NEVER! Does anyone realize how long that is? I believe the death penalty itself is wrong, period. Look at every argument used to support the use of the death penalty, and when examined, they fall apart. The death penalty is a lottery at best and a political manipulation of public emotions for votes at worst. When you lock a person up for the rest of their natural life for less than it would cost to execute them, then the only thing to support the death penalty is a sick form of the arena's in Rome, complete with cheering crowds while someone is put to death. For what?

What do you feel society today can do to reduce violent crime in America? I have always believed that PREVENTION is the only real way to end crime by stopping it BEFORE it can start. I feel this could be accomplished if every school and community in our country would make this their number one priority, and would focus on educating children from a young age about the issues of violence and abuse. Do you think kids would be deterred from turning to violent crime if schools actually cared about these issues? Would such education have deterred you from going the wrong way? What do YOU believe led you to choose a life of crime and eventually to commit murder, and what do YOU think can be done to save other children from making poor choices with their lives???
Violent crime is down. Look at the FBI's own figures. Crime is down. Prevention is a key though. No doubt about that. But if you start talking about spending money...that is the end of the discussion. What people fail to realize is that by spending money on prevention, they save money in the long run because you create tax payers instead of having to build more prisons with tax payers money. It is all too easy to put the blame on the parents, schools, churches or any number of other reasons as far as why a kid turns to crime. I think it is all of the above and then some. People will let the television baby-sit for them, then complain about what is on TV. It takes everyone that has anything, comes into contact with that child, to guide them and teach them....and then hope and pray for the best.

Would like to know what you claim has "changed" you over the years from being a cold-blooded killer without any feeling into now, as you say, a human being who supposedly has compassion for others? What miracle took place behind those cold stone walls to make you supposedly change your ways? Have you tried therapy?
No miracle or anything like that. No therapy either. You have alot of time in a place like this. When you are on "death watch" about to die in a few days, it has an effect on you. There is nothing that I can do to change the past. There is nothing that I can do to make up for what has been done. All anyone can do is what they can to help those that need it...don't you?

Although I don't use the same language as many of your correspondents I will admit most of them seem to have their fingers on the pulse of the nation..we don't like our grandma & grandpa's killed..which you (when pressed) finally referred to as a "botched" burglary. No, I don't want to know what it is like being on DR..and I don't think I will be needing your legal advise. I think you look cheap and smug in your picture. Kind of like a slimy used car salesman in a 20 year old polyester leisure suit.it really isn't hard to imagine the real "you". That picture speaks volumes to any who see it. But, I am curious..and I want to know about your victims. They must have been retired after reaching the age of 65 don't you think? They were probably living on his retirement and Social Security. I wonder how long they had been married? Did you know even really "old" married people can still be in love? I wonder what kinds of food were in the house. Was she watching their diets or was she "the " cook of the family. The one nobody could cook like? Maybe a baker..cakes and pies or was some of the family's favorite dishes left-over in the refrigerator? I bet the walls were covered with photos of children and grandchildren. I bet each of those grandbabies were spoiled rotten by them. The husband may have had some plaques hanging from his military days..and I'm sure the wife had her needlepoint, crocheting, knitting or whatever lying around. You may have stumbled over their fishing poles? Have you wondered if she reminded him to lock the door before coming to bed their last night together? Did he kiss her goodnight? Did she rub arthritis medicine on his shoulders before turning in? I know some old people who won't go to bed,without reading a little out of the Bible. Did you see one? Do you even realize what you took from so many? I don't know what you look forward to each day or if there are any pleasures left in this world for you. I wish you could use this forum to really get honest and answer the questions people ask. Wanda
Thank you for your comments.

Hello Sir I just wanted to know Why did you do that, did they do anything to you can you answer that?
Why? Why is the sky blue? Seriously though, pure stupidity and fear. That's really it. And nothing I can say can justify that.

You are a useless and worthless piece of garbage who has never been truly loved by anyone in this world. Your family were the first to realize you were a nobody, which explains why you were so abused and neglected by them for so many years. You were an unwanted burden to them, and they made that clear to you throughout your childhood. You were a misfit in your own home, and nothing you did was ever meaningful enough to make them believe in you or your future. Looking back now, we see how right they were all along. You now sit on death row at the Union Correctional Institution here in Florida, the place you've called home for the second half of your life. You are not a person, but rather a mere number, a nameless and faceless ghost without a soul or an identity. You sit there and drift through your existence like a shadow to dark to be seen. Nobody cares for you and not a single living being will miss you when you die. You are a mistake of the very worst kind; a mistake that will soon be corrected.
Ain't you sweet.

My son is 19 and has recently been sent to prison for being involved with three others who who raped a 17 yr. old boy. The actual rapist was apparently a gang member and has threatened to kill my son and the other boys. My son and the other boys got lesser sentences because they didn't touch the boy but because they were outside and knew what was going on they all got charged with the crime.My question is is there any advice I can give to my son to help him make it through his time (3yrs)such as staying out of trouble or education or anything. he is very shy and not very social, he is not violent and doesn't have a smart mouth, I am afraid he will be bullied or worse, he wants to continue his education so he can start over when he gets out,, any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated...Thank you
I am sorry. It sounds like your son got caught up in one of those "catch" laws that do more harm than good. I wonder if the "law" would have been so great if it got your son killed. I'm sorry. Believe me, I'm not wishing anything bad to happen to your son. I just see how these kinds of laws screw up peoples lives and promote a "police state" mentality. I don't know what the state law is in your area, so I don't know what amount of that 3 year sentence he'll have to do. Probably about 2 years. The parole board will not be in a hurry to let him go. Hopefully the fact that he didn't participate will be considered. With a three year sentence, he should be sent to a minimum/medium security prison for youthful offenders, I hope so. The best advice I could suggest is that he do his own time. That is, he doesn't need to be cutting up or acting up. Do the time and get out of there. No drugs, fights or any of that. Make a few friends and that is all. If he's got problems with people bothering him, either trying to rob him, or rape then I would suggest that he check in to protective custody because he doesn't have any real time to do, though he may not agree with that.:) He can put his time to good use. Even though the government doesn't want inmates to get any education, it is still possible. You will have to help there. Get him enrolled in a correspondence course from any number of colleges. Go to the library, you should be able...you've got the web! I forgot! He can take correspondence courses during this time to learn what he wants or go towards a degree. Now that will keep him busy, which will help the time go faster. I'm afraid that when he does get out, he may have to register with the cops as a sex offender. That could cause him alot more problems than just a couple of years. Just read what most of the people...frogs and sheep...on this page have to say to me, and you'll see how vindictive they can be. Especially if you live in an area where the neighborhood is notified of a sex offender. Even though he didn't touch anyone, if he is convicted as a sex offender, it will follow him. Check your local laws and act accordingly. I wish both you and your son well. Send him my regards when you talk to him and good luck.

In reading your responses to the questions given to you, I felt sickened and angered by your words and your whining. You complain that there is no heat in the cells therefore in cold weather you are cold. Well you poor baby, what about the millions of homeless people, both children and adults, who don't have any type of luxury such as a bed to sleep on. The only crime they committed was being unable to afford a home. So before you complain about your life think about those who are out there in the cold and the heat who have not taken anyone's life yet are slowly losing theirs. However, what angered me the most was that you complained about only getting to have 50 pictures of your family, and about those criminals whose family died while they were incarcerated. What about the victim's families? Their daughter, son, mother, father, husband, or wife, or just close friend, did nothing to cause for their life to be taken yet they will no longer be able to stand in front of a camera to have a picture taken When asked as to whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent you stated "no" due to the fact that people do not expect to get caught. While that may be true the fact is there would be less vengeance as far as the victim's families due to the fact that they know the one who put their child to death will in return be put to death. My question to you is are you sorry that you murdered two innocent elderly people or are you just sorry that you got caught? Is there any remorse in your soul for the horrible actions which you have done?
I'll tell you what, you seem to be so compassionate about all the homeless people, why don't you offer them a bed? IF I could, I'd bet you ignore them or turn your snobbish ass nose up at them. And if the frogs and sheep like you didn't believe every lie told to you by politicians, about all the luxuries of prison life, I wouldn't have to straighten you with the facts. Not that you reptilian brain can grasp that. As far as vengeance wanted...hell, they want everyone strapped to a stake even though they don't know everyone. You are perfect example. I ain't done shit to you or yours. You would feel pleasure, truly, by being able to light the fire around my stake. Well feel glad frog, because you and other people like you have lit the fire, so swim in your warm water. And what the hell do you mean by asking whether I am sorry that two people are dead or that I got caught. The same thing about remorse. You don't give a shit whether I am sorry or remorseful, and, if I said yes, you wouldn't believe me and wouldn't care. Nothing can change the past, no matter how much we wish we could. So, be careful what you do today, it might just haunt you in the years to come frog.

I am in college and doing research for a paper that I'm doing on the Death Penalty. I found this site through a friend and I was looking through the questions and answers to get information. I got some information but mostly a bunch of bullshit. You ramble on about politicians and crooked cops, I agree the politicians are liars and there are some crooked cops. But that does not change the fact that you took the life of two people., and the rest of the people on death row killed or raped someone. You ramble on about what you would do to the man that hurt your daughter, what about YOU? Do you not think that she hurts because of what you are and what you did ? And as for the crying about how the death row inmates get treated, y'all get more than alot of hard working good citizens get. You never have to worry about if your going to eat, or if you'll have electricity, or if you'll have a place to stay and a bed to sleep in. Which tax payers are having to pay for. In my opinion we should stop wasting time and when someone is sentenced to death it should be performed in 60 days after the verdict. Well I've spent enough of my time talking to a low life like you, but just one more thing if life in prison is so bad then why are you smiling in your picture?
Yes, I do tend to ramble, but I'm just a country boy a with the high-school education... not a college educated idiot. So you what everyone sentenced to death to be executed within 60 days.There was just a reunion of some 75 people that were innocently convicted, and you would have killed them all. That's the hell of a system you would have. You'd better hope that you wouldn't find yourself in that predicament. And you profess to be educated?

By what you said about the twenty years in prison in FL I assume that you are in prison in FL. I am sure that you are well aware of the fact that "old sparky" has been known to screw up a time or two. What is your position on the idea of the Death Penalty, and the methods that are used such as the electric chair?Do you think that you are being punished even further when the chair malfunctions? I am sure that your position on this subject is that it should be abolished but, do you know what you did was wrong? Do believe you that you rightfully deserve punishment, what ever it might be? Thank you in advance for answering my questions! I can't say that I hope the best for you because of what you did but, that you are an example to people of what happens when people screw up. I wish the best for you family and your victim's family!
Personally, dead is dead. I don't know what is felt when that first jolt hits, or if you would be able to feel the second and third one, I don't know, who really would? I think it's terrible for the family though, because whether flames burst out or not, the body is burned and a closed casket is the only option for the family. I am against the death penalty because none of the reasons people used to support it hold water, they just are not valid reasons. Anyone, including myself should be punished, but you don't need to use a sludge hammer to kill a fly.

Hey, I am a criminal justice student and I am doing a short paper on prison life, death row, and how it all affects the life of families. How has your family been affected? Could you tell me a little about what visitation with your loved ones is like? how has it affected certain members of your family? thanks!!!!!
I think that it always effects the family when they have a loved one in prison. As time goes by some families naturally drift apart. Visits, if there are visits, can be strained and very painful for both. How would you like to visit a relative who only has a matter of days to live because his execution date has been set? What would you say? I would bet that he'd be more concerned about you than he would about his own upcoming death.

You have been on death row for twenty years, which is virtually a lifetime spent behind bars. My sociology teacher says that 85 percent of men(after 5 years imprisonment) will voluntarily engage in some kind of sex act with at least one other male prisoner. She said after 10 years imprisonment nearly 100 percent of men will have participated in sexual acts with other inmates. My question is have you engaged in sexual behavior with other men during your two decades behind bars, or do you use masturbation as your means of sexual survival since you cannot have contact with females?
I am in a one man cell, so masturbation and it is all I can to. I don't know how to take your teachers across the board statement. How does she know? And what what she consider a sex act? Where does her numbers come from, and would loaning a magazine to someone constitute a sex act? I know guys who have done over ten years, and not on death row, who have had opportunities but don't, so right there, her study is wrong. Plus with the growing number of prisoners with AIDS, that has to curtail a lot more. So, no, I don't have much faith in your teachers statement or claim. Agreed, homosexuality is a fact in prison, both consenting and forced. But not everyone participates in such action.

Mr.Porter, I am not here to judge you, but rather I have some real questions about your imprisonment experience which I hope you can answer. To me, twenty years seems like an unimaginable amount of time to have to spend locked up on death row under maximum restrictions. I think I would flip out after one week of being locked away from my family, my friends and society. I have read through many of the questions/answers here and it seems you have now comes to terms with your fate and have accepted it. But what was it like early on? What were your first few days/weeks/months/years like on the row? What would you spend your time doing and thinking about? Did you have a wife or children on the outside? What was it like for them with you being gone away, how did they manage to get along? It must have been unbearable to be taken away from them, knowing that you'd never get out. How did you deal with that emotional isolation and trauma? And last of all, do you believe that spending twenty years of your life locked up under the harshest of restrictions is punishment enough for killing that couple, assuming that you are sincerely reformed?
You might be surprised at how you would react. Some people have come to death row and gone crazy. That doesn't mean you would. The first few months you get used to the sounds and routine, and literally before you realize it a year has passed. The only interaction is court hearings, waiting for court rulings, hoping for letters for visits. The worst time is when the death warrant is signed and the guards, usually a Lt. or Captain comes for him and you know you might not see him again. Friendships developed over the years. Life does go on for your family. I filed for divorce so that my wife could get married. My kids grew up and have only gotten to know me in the past ten years. I'm probably the last person that you should ask if 20 years is enough time some people might think I am a bit bias. Seriously though, not really. Of course I would like to be free, but what would I do out there? The world has changed in 20 years. As for how much time anyone should do though, that depends on the person. Some should never get out. I will not be getting out, and there are a lot of people that will never get out, because of the three strikes laws. It's not only how long a person does in prison, but what does the state do while they have got him in there. Is there to be rehabilitation or is he coming out worse than he went in?

Mr.Porter, it certainly seems as if you haven't made much personal progress over the past two decades, as you spend your time pointing your finger and laying the blame on politicians. Are the politicians the ones who broke into the home of Harry Walrath and Margaret Anne to rob them? Are they the ones who, as an adult, made the decision to brutally murder both of them instead of just turning around and running away? The truth is that you are just another ignorant and arrogant criminal who is pissed off that he couldn't hire Johnny Cochran and get away with murder. Plain and simple. You are bitter as hell that you got caught, and that you had to face the consequences for your horrible actions. It's every criminal's worst nightmare to have to face up for what he or she did, which clearly shows just how arrogant you people are, and how you believe you're all above the law. You see everyone but yourself as being a mere object, and you're enraged at the thought of being held responsible for how you mistreat and take advantage of those who are weaker than you. You are a sociopath, and a lost and empty coward at heart, void of any real emotions or purpose in life, except the purpose of ruining the lives of innocent people in order to meet your own selfish needs. The truth hurts, doesn't it? I feel sorry for you and for the fact that you feel you're the innocent victim of bloodthirsty politicians. I think you need to look in the mirror and see who the real criminal is. I just have one question for you Mr.Porter: Who killed Harry Walrath and Margaret Anne? Who sir, is the bloodthirsty murderer here??????
I happen to think that I have made great strides in my personal progress because in the past I would just told you and everyone else to kiss my ass. Instead I subject myself to the likes of you, so that I could educate few people about the facts of prison, the death penalty, appeals, politicians manipulating the public, and what you, the public can expect from the people that are getting out of prisons that you want to make even worse.

Why do you complain about all the inconveniences of prison life instead of just taking it like a man and accepting the bad fate you created for yourself? Why don't you just say, "hey people, prison is bad, but I put MYSELF here, and I deserve what I am getting", instead of crying about petty little things like the uncomfortable temperature and not having enough pictures of your family? I think inmates in America have far too many rights and are becoming spoiled by all we're giving them. In some prisons in Europe the inmate is locked in one room without food for thirty days at a time, during which they have no toilet and must literally sleep in their own shit. If anything even remotely resembling that were to happen here, all these stupid "human rights" groups would scream and fight tooth and nail for you jerks and for your supposed "rights." Just look at all the bogus lawsuits prison inmates file every year at taxpayers expense, just because you bums have nothing else to do. I heard of inmates suing over a cold meal, a torn shoe and a not "big enough" piece of cake. On the television show "Justice Files" they talked about how one drug dealer sued the state because they wouldn't let him conduct his drug business from his cell!!! Give me a break! I think if we made prisons alot tougher and harsher maybe good for nothing wastes like you wouldn't enjoy the incarceration experience and might actually decide to get a job and work for a living. Hmmm, now there's an idea! .
Hmmm, here is an idea, let's make prisons just as abusive as possible, then when that person does get out (and people do get released) let's put him right next door to you and see what happens. Let's see how you like a pissed off physco living next door. As for 30 days without food and all that, get the facts, show me proof that that is the standard operating procedure.

Do you really think that your con-approach is going to fool people? You are a complete fake and a bad liar. Do you think you're cool because you can sit there and call people "sheep" and "frogs?" You're a 42yr.old man Raleigh, so for God sakes act your age instead of your IQ! I believe what politicians say about you "people" simply because it is true. Period. You guys are the murderers, rapists, kidnappers, terrorists, robbers, abusers and the destroyers of innocent lives. Not the politicians. Is the Walrath family suffering today because of politicians? Hell no! They will suffer for the rest of their lives because you decided to brutally beat and strangle their grandparents to death Raleigh! Isn't that what happened? Isn't that what you did? Hmmm??? Are you gonna flat out deny that you killed them, or will you take the even more cowardly route and just not answer that question? Look, we all know that politics is a crooked business, but I'd believe any one of them any day over you and the likes of you. Sorry to bust your nice guy act but just who are you trying to fool? Yourself perhaps??? Think about it pal, cause you've got the rest of your lifetime to just sit there and think about how you messed everything up!
And just why would I want to fool you? There's not a damn thing you could do for me. You are one of the typical frogs and sheep, you yourself admit that politics is a crooked business, but you blindly follow just the same, so don't be too surprised when you see the hammer dropping one your own head.

What kinds of television shows are you allowed to watch on death row? Do you know about and get to watch shows like Cheers, Married With Children, Monday Night Football, America's Most Wanted, etc? How late can you watch T.V. and when do the guards turn out the lights?
We do not get any cable channels. Only net work channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, UPN and PBS. The power for the TV stays on, but the light in the cell goes out at 11 o'clock p.m.

Are you glad you got caught and faced justice for your crimes, or do you wish you would've been smarter and gotten away with killing that couple? Has twenty years in prison taught you that crime doesn't pay, or are you still fishing for a way to escape your death sentence? In my opinion, people like you are bullies who need to be stood up to and challenged. I bet you spent your whole life laughing at us decent law abiding citizens and thumbing your nose at society. Well frog, in the end we got the last laugh because you're facing the harshest punishment this country can hand out, and the best part is that you know you're gonna die. Just from reading your comments to people, it is clear to see how afraid you are of the death penalty, and how you're unable to accept that the state is going to kill you. And that is what gives me the most pleasure; simply knowing that you're gonna die, and that you're helpless and unable to do anything to save your life! So enjoy living and talking on the internet frog, because soon the state of Florida will silence you forever!
Who actually wants to get caught, no matter what they do? As for the rest, thumbing my nose at you isn't the digit I would salute you with.

I am curious to know where your case is regarding the appeals process. Are you appealing your conviction and asking for a new trial, or are you only appealing your death sentence which was handed to you by that judge? I read some material online about judges who override juries and impose death sentences, which is how I came upon your case. Tell me, are you able to do any kind of work and earn money on death row, and if not who pays your legal fees, a family member or friend? Or does the state appoint a lawyer to work on your case? And how long do you think it will be before the courts return an answer regarding the outcome of your appeals?
The appeal of my own case it's pretty well over. The state is not happy with a ruling that I got from the Florida Supreme court, so they filed for a rehearing. So did I, because I'd don't think they followed the law or the constitution. Every death penalty appeal is supposed to raise every issue, so that includes asking for a new trial or a new sentence, depending on what the issue is. For instance, in an appeal, if I say I didn't like the way the judge instructed the jury in deciding my sentence, that might be grounds for a new sentencing hearing, but it wouldn't have any impact on the guilt phase of the trial. On the other hand, if the appeals says, the judge was wrong in denying me the right to call witnesses that would give me an alibi, then that would be grounds for new trial. It all depends on what the issue is, and the issue can't be something stupid that is not supported by past rulings from the courts. No, nobody on the Florida's death row works or is able to earn any money. Very few jobs that any prisoner in Florida prisons do, gives the prisoner any kind of payment. The state, i.e. the taxpayers, pays for the lawyers that appeal a death sentence, and the lawyers that represent the state. Now, before anyone thinks the state is doing any one a favor by giving a death row inmate a lawyer, I have got a couple additions that I'm sending, because I know, if I said lawyers representing death row inmates have been ruled incompetent, that during trials lawyers have went to sleep during the trial, come to the trial drunk, didn't investigator preset any evidence, people would say I'm either lying or exaggerating. So I'll let the articles speak for me. I would ask you to consider one thing, God forbid, if you ever found yourself or someone you love on trial for his or her life (guilty or not) would you want these kind of lawyers representing you? And, unless you've got some big bucks, you would have to take the lawyer appointed to represent you. Call up a lawyer and ask how much it would cost to have them handle the death penalty trial or to handle an appeal of the death sentence, and see if you could afford it yourself. I expect an answer from the Florida Supreme court at any time then if they don't change their ruling, I'll be in front of a judge in about 30 days after that.

I see you never run out of bad things to say about politicians, and I have a few comments on that subject. My girlfriend's dad is a politician and was elected last week to be the next governor for our state. Aside from the fact that he is her father, I voted for him because he is extremely tough on crime and has a real 'no mercy' approach for dealing with "people" like you. Not only does he promise to keep our 'truth in sentencing' policy, but he plans to do whatever it takes to, in his words, "greatly reduce" the number of appeals for guys like you how need to be killed. When I told him about this WebPages, he laughed and said that you should've been executed years ago, and that the state of Florida really needs to wake up and start doing what he plans to do for our state over the next four years. He also laughed and predicted that by the time his term is over, you probably won't be around anymore to spread your self serving lies online! I hope he's right, and am proud to be associated with him and his family. So I think you should appreciate what you have now, because you ain't gonna see, the year 2003! Hey, that rhymed!!!
Did your new governor tell you how he plans to pay for all of this so called "no mercy" approach? Yes, I admit that I don't particularly care for politicians, because I try to see past their bullshit sound bytes that have people like you blindly following them without knowing where you will end up.Politicians need a cause to raise of following, and it's all too easy to jump on the bandwagon of supporting the death penalty, cutting down on appeals, locking people up. What about the truth of what such stands mean? They don't tell you that because it would either make you think... or because they don't really know themselves! Let's look at one issue, truth in sentencing for instance. The prisons in your state, as in all states, are built to hold a certain amount of prisoners. They maintain their capacity by releasing prisoners after they have done their time, to make room for the new arrivals. The problem occurs when you've got more coming into prison than are ready to be released. Then, the prisons have to start releasing prisoners early, and we know how you feel about that. Or one who one they have to build and staff new prisons. It is all fine and good to talk about locking people up, but how do you pay for it? It has to be paid for, and guess what, it is you and other taxpayers that will be footing the bill. Not only that, the initial cost of building and staffing a new prison, you have now got to operate it for the next 50 years! You can check with other sources to find out how the prison population has grown over the past ten years and what it projected to be in the coming years. I may or may not see the year 2003, but someone will be paying those taxes, that is for sure. You are caught in a never ending cycle, the more prisons you build because of longer sentences the more prisons you need to build. Have fun at watching your tax dollars at work.

This is an exceptional website! I've never come across anything quite like this before. Especially the ongoing debate between the prison guard and the death row inmate! I am writing to say that I do agree with the guard in what he is saying. Let me now explain why I feel this way. In our society, I believe there are three main things we need to do to reduce crime in America. Number one, as someone else mentioned, we need to put all our focus on educating young children about issues of crime, abuse and violence and what each of us can do to prevent crime from occurring and to make a positive difference. If schools and communities throughout the country put as much focus and attention on these issues as they do on athletics, just think what a change we'd see for the better! Number two, we must start separating all non-violent criminals from the violent population and focus on rehabilitating them to successfully return to society. Instead of locking up drug offenders, burglars and car thieves, we must place such offenders in what would truly be "correctional facilities" where they would be given counseling, education and job opportunities, instead of throwing them in alongside rapists and murderers so that they'll come out worse. And third, there needs to be a nationwide law that ANYONE who molests a child, or commits a rape, or commits a murder, or any other serious violent crime, MUST be put away for good the FIRST-TIME, even if it is only their first offense. I believe that any individual who made the decision to permanently change and/or take away the life of a fellow human being has forfeited his/her own right to ever again exist in a civilized society. Such violent crimes are unspeakable and unimaginable, and those found guilty of such acts must get life without parole or execution, period! Now here's where I agree with the guard. I believe that these violent offenders must all be placed in tough, maximum-security prisons, where if guards want to beat the shit out of them, we should let them. They are the ones who chose to victimize society and they are the violent beasts who truly DESERVE to suffer endlessly for their terrible crimes. And since they'll NEVER be getting out, who cares how badly they're treated! They will get exactly what is coming to them, and that is the category in which our beloved Mr.Porter belongs. We must know where to show compassion, when to deliver final justice, and we must have the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you, may justice always be served,
Jim Henderson

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