Death Row Photo Collection

Artist’s Statement -
     These images are of current Texas death row inmates.  The photographs were taken in 2008 at the Polunsky and Gatesville units.  Ultimately, the message I wish to convey through my art, is simple.  The only way we can truly stop suffering is to love and forgive those who have caused the suffering.  My photography is intended to communicate this idea to the victim’s loved ones.   I want to teach the victims this liberating truth that I have learned. 

     As a private investigator for 17 years, I work capital murder cases.  In 1995 I was assigned to a case involving the double homicide of a North Texas teenage couple. The victims were tortured and murdered.  I worked on the defense team for one of the defendants.  While working the case, I spent hours examining the crime scene evidence, including graphic photographs.  Some years later, I started to experience anxiety when I saw anything remotely similar to the injuries done to the victims. 

     I sought help from a psychologist regarding this anxiety.  I was told I likely had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The doctor determined that my photography at that time, pictures of homeless and social outcasts shown in a spiritual light, was a subconscious attempt to correct the 'bad pictures' I saw while working the capital murder case. 

     Ultimately, I learned that I could overcome PTSD by forgiving those who had caused it.

     In order to get a death penalty, a Texas prosecutor will argue that the victim’s loved ones endorse the death of the accused.  It is said that the surviving loved ones, “Need closure”.   Through my pictures, I argue that this disables the survivor’s ability to love and forgive the accused in the future.  To me, execution is a grave injustice done to the loved ones. Execution virtually denies their ability to love and forgive the convicted in the future…   ultimately denying the victims the ability to stop suffering.

     I maintain that it takes a work of art to ultimately address the collective consciousness.  It was Uncle Tom’s Cabin that spoke and turned the tide against slavery in America.    I hope that my images will modestly follow in its footsteps.  I aspire to turn the tide against the death penalty.