June 13 came and went and here she is, in the "land of the living," as the psalm says. "I will praise you, God, in the land of the living."
Thank you to our hard-working, smart, pro bono lawyers and the head trauma experts, who also gave of their services free of charge. If Cathy had had this kind of legal counsel and forensic evidence expertise at her trial, the state would never have succeeded in painting her as a monster murderess. Because all along, there was her version of what happened in the tragic accident that killed baby Brandon, but Cathy’s trial lawyer’s request for $15,000 to hire a head trauma expert was denied. That’s what happens to poor people who can’t afford to hire their own lawyers and experts. Then, in 1999, when an appeal was sent to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals with a request for funds to allow Cathy experts to do forensic testing of the baby’s injuries, they again denied the funds. So much for "due process of law" and "equal justice under law."
What a double, triple tragedy. The Baugh family gets revictimized by court process, Cathy’s family suffers, and Cathy herself on death watch struggles to maintain her faith and courage as the days of her life bleed away and still no word from the court until two days before her scheduled killing date. Everybody suffers.
My heart rejoices that Cathy was not killed, but I feel deep compassion for the Baugh family. The prosecutors promised 12 years ago that, through Cathy’s death, they would get justice, closure, vindication for little Brandon’s death. What anguish they must now feel, what sense of fresh betrayal.
It’s all so miserably unfair to everyone – these interminable delays and switchbacks in the messed-up criminal justice system.
So, I pray for everyone affected by the Texas court’s recent ruling. Cathy’s case is just one more example of how we humans – frail, flawed, partially-seeing – can’t handle a system of justice that includes death sentences. It causes everyone affected to suffer over and over again.
And, as for redemption…which, as a follower of Jesus, I deeply believe in: is not every human being worth more than their worst act? The Cathy Henderson I have come to know over the past three years is not the drug-influenced, irresponsible woman brought to trial 12 years ago. During her years on death row Cathy has meditated, endured, and agonized over her terrible choices. Spiritually she has already started on the path which seeks reconciliation and healing. In the "land of the living" she will have time to travel this path.
Sister, I agree w everything you have said about the value of human life and spirituality and the fraility of human nature.
I despise the death penalty and think it is barbaric, vengeful and state murder.
Sister, please tell me what you think should be done w people like Cathy Henderson. Certainly we do not want her out in society again. She was dangerous to her own children and should not have been babysitting period.
With that said, what do we do? Our prison system disgusts me. Even zoos are trying hard not to keep animals in cages.
For so very, very long we have kept people in cages (prison). Horrible places they are. Horrible treatment in every way. Why is Paris Hilton sleeping on a metal slab w only a thin mattress? Prison certainly is not conducive to rehabilitation, recovery, empathy, compassion, etc.
It treats people like animals – even caging them.
Some of them truly are so destroyed by their horrific childhoods (Cathy Henderson is one of them) that we simply cannot let them back into society.
So, until we wake up and treat criminals as humans who are damaged and sick, what do you think we should do?
I do not think Cathy Henderson should ever get the death penalty. I do not think anyone should.
But – life without parole?
Who could stand it?
Vengenace is mine sayeth the Lord (not the state’s).
The Cathy Henderson case is one of countless cases that show our justice system does not work for the vast majority of Americans. And I do believe classism has everything to do with that.
For every Patrick Sonnier, for every monster, every guilty murderer sentenced to death, I can name ten wrongfully convicted people. They were either exonerated, or were freed in exchange for taking an “Alford” plea – which neither affirms their guilt nor clears their names. They were all poor. Most had no education beyond high school, if even that.
When prosecutors persist in prosecuting someone anyway because winning their gold star and protecting their egos trumps all, the system is inrretrievably broken.
And it is the poor who always pay the price. We as a society own some responsibility for that because of indifference.
As you probably know, incoming freshman and transfers for UNC Chapel Hill are reading your The Death of Innocents for the Summer Reading Program. I just wanted to let you know that you have opened my eyes! I am a 17 year old Catholic. I just realized how naive I was about the Church, politics, and the law. I was very surprised to know that many Catholics supported the death penalty, and only recently did the Catechism change. It makes me sick to know that someone like Justice Scalia is making decisions about people’s right to live!!!!!! I just want to shake some sense into him! Your book has just made so much run through my head (that is why this comment might seem unorganized and random) I just wanted to let you know that your book was excellent, and has really got me thinking. Thank You! Are you going to have a talk at UNC (I heard that you were coming to talk, but I can’t find any information) and if you are, when?
To Sister Helen Prejean,
Like the girl that wrote before me (Xochitl Maykovich) I will be a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I read your book The Death of Innocents and have purchased and will soon read Dead Man Walking. I am not United Methodist but the values and beliefs that you adress in The Death of Innocents have caused me to contemplate what exactly I believe when it comes to executions on death row. When are you coming to UNC- Chapel Hill? I would absolutely love to come hear you talk. I look forward to meeting you.
Dear Sister Helen,
I would like to thank you and all of the nuns that have contacted and encouraged Cathy Henderson’s daughter Amber and her sister Jennifer.
I am Amber’s mother-in-law and I want to let you know how much comfort you have given her. She was so surprised and moved by the calls from the nuns and by your interest and keeping her updated on the court hearings. She has sent me your letters so I could keep up. I do not know Cathy personally, but I know she can not be the monster that some people say she is–she has 2 wonderful daughters. I know that their Dad’s get alot of credit for how Amber and Jennifer turned out, but they also had their Mom as a foundation, and they LOVE their Mom.
Thank you and may God bless you,
Bonnie
Dear Sr. Helen,
I’ve followed your work with admiration. I’ve read “Dead Man Walking”, been to one of your speaking engagements and recently read your response to the “World Can’t Wait” petition. You’re truly a Catholic example. The Republicans have forgotten all the social responsibilies of Christianity except for the protection of the unborn. My political party, the Democrats, have been important leaders for social justice, but somehow miss the boat on a basic fundamental right. I’m a die-hard but frustrated Catholic Democrat. It’s not easy picking a pro-choice candidate to campaign for. I’ve searched my conscience about this and have determined that the greater good is benefited when I support a socially minded Democrat vs. a socially conservative Republican. My last home was Lincoln, NE., home to one of America’s most oppressive bishops. He’s a very intelligent and decent man (Bishop Bruskewitz), but he’s driven many people to hard-line views. I was told, living in Lincoln, that voting for Democrats was a serious sin that should give me pause before receiving Communion. I’m emailing you because I want you to know that there are so many of us out there who “get it” on these issues. The “seamless garment” ethic of life, as you say, doesn’t begin at birth and it doesn’t end when convicted. I know you’re incredibly busy. But I’ve wanted to say “hello” to you for many years. There are a handful of heroes in my life: my grandfather, Pope John Paul II, Jimmy Carter, Blessed Mother Theresa, Morris Dees, Dorothy Day (Blessed?) and you. None of you are perfect. But your life’s efforts remind us of what we can do with the life we’ve been given. I’m thankful to be living in a time that I can see your example. Sorry for the heavy praise. I just wanted to say “thanks” for reminding me that we may not be able to change the world, but we don’t have to let the world change us.
–Brian
I just finished Death of Innocents as part of my summer reading for UNC-Chapel Hill. I have always been opposed to the death penalty simply because it is unfair for humans to take anothers life into their hands and seemingly “play God.” But before i read your book i didn’t realize how faulty the system really is. Your book has opened my eyes to the injustices of our government, and your obvious passion for the subject has touched me. I hope to follow in your footsteps as we fight for this cruel institution to be forced into history along with slavery. I am looking forward to your talk at Chapel Hill, and hopefully meeting you.
Best reguards,
Amber
Dear Sister,
I watched with great interest your interview with Andrew Denton on Enough Road (an Australian interview program)last night. I was greatly impressed with your dedication and the work that you are doing.
I was therefore particularly disappointed when you trivialised the issue of the physical and psychological abuse of children by priests,nuns and brothers in Catholic Schools over many decades. If the treatment that I witnessed and experienced at Catholic School here in Australia were to occur now, that treatment would certainly result in criminal charges. It was not isolated, but pervasive, as innumerable conversations with other ex-Catholics have confirmed.
This abuse was systemic, resulting from the abuse of its power by the Catholic Church in depriving parents of control over their children’s education and the failure of the hierarchy to put in place adequate accountability arrangements. This reflected a spiritual arrogance on the part of the clergy and religious in believing that they were better placed that parents to judge what was good for children.
In my less charitable moments I believe that this so-called education was designed to produce people who were psychologically dependent on the church and not healthy adults.
In any event I believe that the sexual abuse of children that has been exposed over recent years is just the tip of an iceberg. Like sexual abuse this abuse is something that the Catholic Church has swept under the carpet.
But like the victims of sexual abuse, the victims of this abuse require an acknowledgement of the evil done to them and an apology. Many that I have meet have failed to move on as a consequence. Indeed,I am still angry and forty years on it still affects the way I respond to some people, particularly those in authority.
The other sad part of this experience, was the poor quality of the education provided.
Perhaps this is an issue that you should also address.
yours sincerely
Dr Lee Boldeman
Dear Sister Helen,
This past February (2007) I met you in San Francisco at one of your speaking engagements for the Presentation Sisters and their SAFE House Benefit. I told you that my young son is facing a 25 year to life sentence in Solano State Prison in California. I have a question for you and I hope you can help me get started. I have a friend that would like to write a book about a ‘true crime’ which happens to by my son’s. We would like to know how to get started in writing a book. I thought maybe you could give us some good advice. Anything will help. God Bless you. Sincerely, Judy Onorato
I admire your passion for social justice. Your work really touches a lot of people
Dear, Sr. Helen,
Is a person not worth more than their worst act… a quotation that has been buzzin g around my mind since i heard you speak this weekend gone in sunny Newcastle Upon Tyne, England… it took a while to ‘get sorted out’ after a long yet thoroughly amazing and inspiring conference. I, for one, am glad ‘the squeaky wheel’ was as squeaky as he was. You have truly inspired me to do my best to become a better person, and your work is tough, without a doubt but you do it with such a grace and humility i cannot but admire. Im almost please i broke my hand last weekend and subsequently was off work so i could make it to the conference!!
God Bless Sister, and thank you.
Dear Sister Helen,
Do you have an inspiration? If you do… then who is it? Is The Death Of Innocents : An Eyewitness Account going to be turned into a movie too? And since you were in face a nun, how hard was it to speak out? Did you get any Nobel Peace Prizes? I’m a 6th grader, in Colorado doing a report on you. I’m so facinated in all that you have accomplished. And I need to get A LOT of information about your life’s work.
Thank you SO much,
Cassandra