Death Row Texas Research Paper

1. Do you believe that each of the 3 inmates deserved the death penalty? Why or why not?

After viewing the National Geographic documentary titled “Death Row Texas”, I found myself grieving the loss of my father. Preceding my father’s death, he was an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) working as a Correctional Officer at the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, known as the “Walls Unit”. Over the years, some of the stories that my father shared with me concerning TDCJ unfair system has me struggling with this question, particularly since TDCJ designed the system to oppress people of color through the act of mass incarceration, life in prison, and the death sentence. In the United States of America, White Americans

Accordingly, I questioned Pondexter “so-called” innocence in this horrific criminal act because he knowingly entered Lennox’s home with three other men with a gun to rob, inflict fear and possibly cause harm. In my view, the crime was premeditated, including the murder. According to Pondexter’s attorney David Dow, since the first gunshot fired by James Lee Henderson pierced Lennox’s brain the defense claimed that this was the wound that resulted in her death. According to Dow, as a matter of Texas law, if Lennox was already dead or if Pondexter believed that she was dead when he fired his shot, then he is not subject to the death penalty. During the interview, Pondexter stated that he believes in the death penalty for “child rapists and serial killers who show lack of humanity and a lack of love for the human race.” As a result of his statement, I raised the question in my mind, where was the humanity and love for Lennox? After I watched the documentary, I researched the case further finding testimony indicating that Pondexter actually fired a shot directly into the left-side of Lennox’s skull and then exclaimed “that's how you smoke a bitch”. According to Dr. Guileyardo, the Chief Medical Examiner for Dallas County Lennox’s autopsy revealed

Martinez beat Prado and her son Erik Prado to death with a baseball bat, than tied up her daughter Belinda Prado without physical harm. According to Clark County records, upon arrest, Martinez confessed to the murders, arrogantly boasting that he had “killed them like cockroaches”. Although each of these stories touched my heart and the manner in which they were killed was horrific, the fact that he knew his victims made this story even more horrific. According to Clark County records, Martinez final words clearly signified that his mental state was stable and he understood what he had done, “Nothing I can say can ever change the past. I hope one day you can find peace. I am sorry for all of the pain I have caused you for all those years. There is nothing else I can say that can help you. I am sorry to put you through this as well. I can't change the past. I hope you find peace and know that I love you. I am sorry. I am sorry and I can't change it. Keep on going and it will be OK. I'm sorry. I truly am." According to Clark County records, Martinez had a history of juvenile delinquency; however, in 1992, Martinez was convicted for attempted sexual assaults, which he was originally sentenced to 10 years’ probation; however, due to numerous probation violations, he was sent to prison for 5 years, and then paroled after 6 months.