I realize many people question your judgement about helping me. This does not surprise me because media sources have influenced the public concerning death row prisoners. They make generalizations about us instead of individualizing us. To the majority of citizens we are the scum of the earth, beasts without a soul, heart, beliefs or morals. They’ve been convinced we aren’t worthy of life, friendship, nor of being a part of the brotherhood of humanity. Politicians, those masters of playing on people’s emotions, use their power to influence the weak and uneducated. Religions have twisted documents and misinterpreted scriptures to rationalize their support of capital punishment. On the other hand, you have men, women and children who commit horrible murders—some even becoming serial killers. And these few sensationalized cases feed the general “kill them all” mentality when it comes to death row prisoners. I have been here many years now and it is my opinion, due to first hand observation of those I live among, that the majority of these men made mistakes, had mental breakdowns, had childhood drama, were too prompt to react with violence or under the influence of some drug. I am not trying to excuse their actions. My point is that since I’ve been here very rarely have I run across “a cold-blooded killer” who feels no remorse. Most of these guys are sincerely sorry from the bottom of their hearts about what they have done, and if they could turn back the hands of time I believe they would have walked away before taking a life. I am here every day. I have heard the stories, the sincerity in these guys’ hearts, their prayers, uncertainties, fears and witnessed their tears. We are not beasts. We are human beings capable of making mistakes just like human beings in society. If there is anyone in the world you live in who has never made a mistake or broken any law, then let him or her be our executor.