just mercy test Flashcards
formidable
inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
dilapidated
in a state of ruin or disrepair as a result of age or neglect
disenfranchisement
the state of being deprived of right or privilege, especially the right to vote
incredulous
unwilling or unable to believe something
vindication
the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion
vehemently
in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner, in great feeling.
emphatically
in a forceful way
candid
truthful and straightforward
somber
dark or dull in color or tone, gloomy
apprehensive
fear or anxiety that something bad or unpleasant will happen
menacing
suggesting the presents of danger; threatening
perlious
full of risk or danger
indignant
feeling or showing of annoyance or anger at what is perceived as unfair treatment
culpability
responsible for a wrong or fault; blame
mitigation
the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or pain of something
jovial
cheerful and friendly
frenetic
fast and energetic in a rather uncontrolled and wild way.
Why did Bryan Stevenson go to Atlanta, Georgia in 1983?
Harvard law student doing internship at southern prisoners defense committee
What did Steve Bright mean by, “them without the capital get the punishment”?
those who don’t have money get punished in the justice system
What happened when Stevenson met Henry? What message did Stevenson need to give him, and how does their interaction unfold?
-told Henry he wont be executed this year
-had no visitors in fear of death row
-talked for 3 hours
-made him choose this line of work
How many of every fifteen people in the U.S is expected to go to jail or prison? How does this statistic compare to “black male babies” born in the U.S? What do you think about this?
-1 in every 15 people
-1 to every 3 black male babies
How much money is spent on prisons every year? Where does that money come from?
-80 billion
-comes from goverment
towards the end of this introduction, Stevenson says his work has taught him a vital lesson. What is it?
each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done
What did Walter MacMaillian do for a living? Why, according to Stevenson, was this significant at the time?
-he started a pulpwood business
-he was a black man who had his own business in a racist time
Which fictional character does Stevenson compare Walter MacMillian to? Why?
-tom robinson
-wrongly accused black man on death row
How did the citizens of Monroe County see Walter after he testified at a hearing about the Kellys’ custody battle? Why?
-treated like a threat
-got a white woman to leave her white husband for a black man
What year was the ban on interracial marriage overturned in the state of Alabama? What percentage of people still voted to keep laws banning interracial marriage in Alabama?
-2000
-41%
What are “hitching posts”? When was this practice declared unconstitutional?
-prisoners are chained to a pole and forced to stand in an uncomfy position for hours
-2002
Explain what happened to Mr. Ruffin, a thirty-nine-year-old black man, after being stopped for a traffic violation.
-arrested then declared dead from natural causes
-actually was beat to death
Who is Bill Hooks? How is he connected to Walter McMillian’s case?
-a jailhouse snitch
-officers got him to say he saw walters truck at rhondas murder
Why is it significant that Walter’s trial was moved to Baldwin County?
made it harder for Walter to have any black ppl on his trial
-had less progression than monreo
What are conditions like on death row?
-windowless concrete buildings
-hot and uncomfy
-small cells all day
-rats, spiders, and snakes
-close to electric chair
What influences Myers to tell sheriff Tate any lies he wants to hear about the Morrison murder?
-smell of burning flesh when execution took place
How many African American individuals served on the jury during Walter’s trial?
1
How is Myers’s story about the day of the Morrison murder different from the original one he told police?
-said he was going to dry cleaners and saw walter with dead bosy
What does Stevenson argue is the key to effective advocacy? Why?
-develop client trust
-manages complexities of litigation
-helps dead w the stress of potential execution
Who is Darnell Houston? What happens to him in this chapter?
-bill hooks coworker
-said bill was lying
-led to his arrest for perjury
Who is Tom Chapman? What was the outcome of Stevenson’s conversation with him in this chapter?
-monroe county district attorney
-convo ended w Darnell’s charges getting dropped
-found out Walters motion to reopen his case was denied
Which state had more juveniles sentenced to death per capita than any other state or any other country in the world?
alabama
How does Charlie first seem when he meets Bryan?
- very sad and doesn’t talk
- BRYAN PUTS ARM AROUND HIM AND CAUSES CHARLIE TO OPEN UP
What was Charlie like before prison?
-no criminal history
-no trouble in school
In what way(s) did the Jennings family become involved with Charlie?
-helped him get his GED
-payed for his college education
What additional information did Stevenson find out about Bill Hooks after further investigating the case?
-he was paid $5000 from sheriff
-released from jail
What other inconsistencies did Stevenson recover that proved Walter’s innocence?
-store owner didn’t know walter
-fish fry was far away
-mechanic said Walters car wasn’t modified at the time
What does Myers tell Stevenson and O’Connor when they arrive at the prison to meet him?
-that meyers story was a lie
-threatened with the death penalty if he didn’t testify against walter
1
Who else do Bryan and O’Connor go to visit in prison in this chapter? Why?
-karen kelly
-to confirm Meyers story
At the end of the chapter, who else do Stevenson and O’Connor go to meet? What do they receive from them?
-met law enforcement involved with Walters prosecution
-receives files on the case
What are the conditions of solitary confinement? How long did Ian Manuel, a thirteen year old boy, spend in solitary confinement?
-18 years
-used phone to call debbie, the woman he shot
-debbie advocated for him
In bullet point form, provide the highlights of Walter’s hearing. What evidence do Bryan and Michael present that helps to prove Walter’s innocence? (include at least 3 points).
-meyers told the truth
-mechanic testified, disproving hooks story
-first officer on crime scene disproves Meyers story
What happened when Stevenson arrived at the courthouse on the second day of Walter’s hearing?
-supporters were not let in bc room was filled with white ppl
What percentage of prison and jail inmates in the United States have a diagnosed mental illness?
over 50%
In what way did Judge Norton rule in Walter’s case?
death penalty remained
What did the ABI investigators uncover and reveal to Bryan Stevenson in regard to Walter’s guilt/innocence?
there is no way Walter killed rhonda
What did the Court of Criminal Appeals rule in regard to Walter’s conviction?
-conviction was false
-he could have another trial
Between 1990 and 2005, how often did a new prison open in the United States?
every 10 days
What does Walter say to Stevenson as they leave the jail together?
I feel like a bird
Between 1980 and 2010 the number of women sent to prison in the United States increased by what percentage?
%646
In 1996, Congress passed legislation that needlessly included a provision that authorized states to ban people with drug convictions from public benefits and welfare…” (204). In what ways could this ban be harmful to individuals?
-ppl cant support their families
How long was Marsha Colbey wrongfully imprisoned for?
10 years
How much was Walter compensated for his wrongful conviction?
few hundred thousand
* USED MONEY TO RESTART LOGGING BUSINESS
In 2005, the death penalty for juveniles was banned under which amendment?
8th
How old was Joe Sullivan when he was convicted as an adult and sentenced to life without parole?
13
What illness is Walter diagnosed with at the start of the chapter?
dementia
In 2009, which state had the highest execution rate per capita?
alabama
Explain Stevenson’s view of brokenness? In other words, what does he believe about brokenness and how does it relate to the criminal justice system?
-we are all broken and that’s what makes us human and gives us humanity
-prosecutors try to seem less broken by punishing others who are broken
What does Stevenson say at Water’s funeral that he learned from Walter and his experience?
-why we have to reform the justice system
*MERCY IS JUST WHEN ITS ROOTED IN HOPEFULNESS AND FORGIVENESS
What does Stevenson say is the real question of capital punishment in this country?
do we deserve to kill
Stevenson states that he believes there are four institutions in American history that have shaped our approach to race and justice. What are they?
-slavery
-rein of terror against POC through WWII
-jim crow
-mass incarnation
Anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
Irony
the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning
Henry
- death row
-first case
-19 yrs old
-accused of murder of 11 year old girl
Herbert Richardson
- war veteran with ptsd
-unintentionally killed ex gf’s niece
-death penalty
Charlie
- 14 yrs old
-killed moms abusive bf
-death penalty
Ian manuel
-13 years old
-pressured into robbery, accidently shot woman who lived
-life without parole
Trina garrnet
- 14 year old
-life in prison
-second degree murder accidently dropped match which burnt house down
-mentally disabled
-sexually abused
Antonio nunez
- him and his brother were shot, his brother died
-sent to Vegas but returned to LA
-staged kidnapping for ransom money
-shot undercover cop during kidnapping
-life until death
-
Marsha colbey
-married to glen
-poor with 6 kids
-got pregnate and couldn’t afford a doctor
- nosy neighbor debbie cook
-noticed Marsha was no longer pregnant but didn’t have a baby
-called cps
-arrest for capital murder
-life in prison without possibility of parol
-wrongfully imprisoned for 10 years
Joe sullivan
-13
-sentenced to life without parole
-robbed a house
ralph meyers
-drug dealer
-accused walter
-killed vickie
Karen kelly
- had an affair with walter
-does drugs with ralph
-accused walter
