CEDP's blog

Tales from death row: Justice for Rodney Reed

Sometimes in life we find ourselves in a place where we are powerless to change our circumstances, where we are powerless to fix a situation. Two recent experiences that both Rodney and I had are about this place, a place I've named the land of "is and isn't".

My wonderful massage therapist/friend, Jessica, came to work with me recently.  About midway through our work, Jessica had me sit up on the massage table while she did some energy work.  As I was sitting, I had a vision.  In my heart's eye, I saw and felt Rodney walking down my porch. As he approached my door, Jessica looked up at him, and Rodney put his finger to his lips in the "shh" motion.  I had the strongest urge to turn around to look at him; at the same time I knew if I did he wouldn't be there—yet. This was the most delightful déjà vu of a future experience I've ever had!  So, I didn't turn around and Rodney remained there, smiling, watching the entire rest of the massage.

Tales from death row: Justice for Rodney Reed

The only evidence the prosecution had, well, really didn't have, has been completely refuted by their only witness, former Medical Examiner Robert Bayardo.  Rodney's case sits on the desk of a federal district judge and because of the 1996 law passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, the Anti-terrorism Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA); it is possible that the refutation may not meet the necessary threshold of relevance to matter. What?

Tales from death row: Justice for Rodney Reed

Tuesday was visit day.  This week's visit was with Rodney's long-time friend, Julie, affectionately known as “Wildflower Jewels”.  We had a wonderful, blessed, fun (which still always astounds me in that place) joyous two hours together.

There's a "post visit" drill I follow every visit, no matter how tired I am, no matter how late it is when I get home. I usually have what I affectionately call "assignments" from Rodney for when I get home. This day's assignments were to email his attorney Bryce Benjet and send Rodney a Jpay, letting him know we arrived home safe and sound. I wrote Bryce's email, and then I got busy writing Rodney's Jpay.

Tales from death row: Justice for Rodney Reed

Credit: Anne Szilagyi

On Saturday, July 21st people from Bastrop, Austin, Houston and parts unknown came together in solidarity to raise money and awareness for Rodney's plight. The event was full of love, passion, commitment, dedication, great tunes, yummy food, fun, smiles, and laughter—exactly as Rodney had wanted! I want to thank everyone who had anything at all to do with bringing this event into being and in this week's blog share with you all the letter Rodney wrote that was read at the event:

FIGHT THE POWER! CEDP!

"Power concedes nothing without a demand." Frederick Douglass

Tales from death row: Justice for Rodney Reed

Wars, genocide, ethnic cleansing, holocausts, inquisitions, crusades, pogroms, mass incarceration—man’s inhumanity to man seems hell bent on the annihilation of the species.  At times though, I'm completely done in by the everyday inhumanities—the myriad ways we are cruel, unkind to one another when it would have been just as easy to be caring, kind.

On June 18th, Rodney passed out in the rec yard during his hour of outside recreation.  A sergeant came over and was able to rouse him; he was then escorted back to his cell.  Rodney takes medication for high blood pressure and after passing out, he experienced some chest pain, numbness to his left arm, radiating pain to his back and a headache.  All of these symptoms were possible indicators of a life- threatening cardiac event.