Analysis: The Horrific Murder Of Anthony Graves

For 18 years behind bars – 12 of them on death row – Anthony Graves maintained his innocence for the horrific murder of a family in Somerville, Texas. But that’s exactly how long it took for injustice to finally be overturned. On a Wednesday afternoon at the Burleson County jail in Caldwell, Texas; Anthony was writing a letter in cell when a guard unlocked the door and ordered Graves to come with him. “I had no idea what was going on, and why he wasn’t putting me in handcuffs”, said Graves. He was led to a room where his attorney, Nicole Casarez, was waiting for him. According to Graves, Caseres looked up at him and declared “God is Good! It’s over. It’s finally over.” Graves credits Casarez as “the person who saved my life.”

The morning

They speculated that such a brutal and gruesome atrocity had to be at the hands of at least 3 attackers. It wasn’t quite 3 am when Carter finally agreed to issue a recorded statement about the murders. He said that he was, in fact, present at the Davis’ home that night, but that it wasn’t him who committed the killings. Instead, he pointed blame toward Anthony Graves, his wife’s first cousin. Throughout their conversation, investigators failed to ask Carter the crucial questions needed to conclude that Graves was, in fact, present at the Davis’ home the night of the killings. They never asked what would motivate Graves to brutally murder 6 strangers, or questioned the improbable logistics of the crime he was describing. Carter’s own admission to his involvement in the crime wasn’t even questioned, and now the focus of this investigation shined a spotlight on Carter’s

Graves was awarded 1.4 million dollars for the 18 years he served behind bars, and will continue to receive the same amount in an annuity, paid out monthly for the rest of his life. He has used more than $150,000 to launch the Anthony Graves Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to freeing other innocent inmates and providing healthcare to recently released prisoners with serious medical issues and no means to pay for treatment. “I’ve always liked the thought of helping people who are less privileged,” he says, “people who don’t fit in the system.” Graves also plans to eventually hire caseworkers to help connect former inmates with other resources such as housing, drug treatment, and mental health services in an effort to reduce their likelihood of returning to prison. “They need a fresh start,” he says, “and that includes the body.” The Texas Innocence Network anticipates more inmate exonerations on the horizon, especially for drug-related convictions in Harris County. Graves understands that Texas’ conservative court system will continue to oppose many wrongful conviction appeals but he’s never been discouraged by justice. “I always stay positive,” he said. “That’s how I came