The Death of Innocents by Sister Helen Prejean

Sister Helen Prejean is a spitfire of a nun. She's passionate and compassionate. Tough as nails yet not immune to the pain of life. Many people got a first glimpse of Sister Helen as she was portrayed by Susan Sarandon in the move Dead Man Walking based on Sister Helen's book of the same name. But to listen to Sister Helen Speak (as I have now on two occasions) is an even more enlightening experience.

I will share with you this most poignant story. At a conference here on my little college campus, an audience member asked Sister Helen deals emotionally with being so up close to the machinery of death known as the death penalty. Sister Helen's first encounter with this horrific bit of machinery was in her home state of Louisiana and was documented in Dead Man Walking. In answering the question posed to her, she reminded those of us who read the book that she had to have the car pulled over so she could vomit. She also had to take some sleeping pills to help her sleep. And to my, and many audience members', horror she told of how sometimes, in her dreams she is the one committing the horrendous murders.

Yet despite her personal struggles and knowing that some people commit some terrible, terrible crimes, she still remains strong in her battle for justice for all, even the condemned. She remains a spitfire.

Her newest book, The Death of Innocents, documents the stories of two men that may have been innocent of their crimes, but were put to death anyways. Each man had his own battles to fight (mental incapability, inept defense, unrealistic legal procedure to name a few). Each man had potentially exonerating evidence. But the courts, the United States legal system that promises equal justice under the law, failed them. As I have become more familiar with death penalty issues, this sort of failure has become less of a surprise. It is however, disgusting.

Sister Helen takes her readers through the journeys of Joseph O'Dell and Dobie Williams. She manages to, at once, touch our hearts and teach a thing or two about constitutional law in capital cases (and all its flaws). If you are already an opponent of the death penalty, this book might spark some anger. If you are ambivalent about the death penalty, this book will teach you a thing or two. If you are a supporter of the death penalty, I think the stories Sister Helen presents are enough to change your mind.

The book is so important that its quality is almost irrelevant. However, the book is a great read. The first two chapter focus on Dobie and Joe, the third chapter on constitutional issues and the final on the progress (or, in some cases, the lack there of) of this country regarding the death penalty. While the third chapter especially takes a bit of brain work, Sister Helen's humor and spitfire-ness shine through and make the reading easier.

The machinery of death is flawed. Action is needed. The (legal?) homicide of two potentially innocent men should illustrate that. So, I will share the links that Sister Helen included at the end of the book. I hope you check them out. I'll list Sister Helen's site first.

Death of Innocents
The Moratorium Campaign
Sister Helen
Death Penalty Information Center
Equal Justice USA/Quixote Center
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Amnesty International
Restorative Justice
Murder Victims' Family for Human Rights
Bridges to Life

Last Words: You must read this book, I HIGHLY recommend it, we must take action.