We
at the Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty are saddened to report
that James Edward Session, who was 42 years old, died alone at the Ellis
Unit in Texas around 3:20 a.m. Monday morning, September 14, 1999
in his cell. Prison officials reported that he died of a heart attack,
this after James had visited the infirmary, complaining of breathing problems.
He
was released by staff back to his cell later that night.
Did
the lack of adequate medical resources and personel contribute to James
death ? Read a first hand account from James friend and fellow
death row prisoner Jimmy Jackson.
| In Memory Of James Session by Jimmy Jackson |
| Click HERE To Read Poetry And Writings By James Session |
LETTER & PENPAL REQUEST FROM JAMES:
Date : 4-21-99
From: James E Session #669
From: Death Row,
U.S.A
Ellis Unit
To: Pen-pal
Requests
Huntsville, Texas
Reason: For Penpal
Correspondences
U.S.A 77343
Hello "Comrades,"
My name is "James
E Session." My number is #669. You may ask yourself the meaning
of that number. It means that, for 18 1/2 years, I've been a prisoner
on death row in Huntsville, Texas, U.S.A. I'm a African American
male - 41 yrs old - born
6-29-57...what
are the reason for me to desire the "Tender Hands" of a friend or friends?
There are two reasons!
First: Death Row isn't just fences, bars and steel doors, bad guys and bad food. No! Death Row can be and should be compared with existing not living. It is filled with people with isolated hearts and suppressed minds with loneliness that leaves one with an internal and external need for love and affection. But uncertainty and imagination are suffocated, by the agonizing, frustration, fruitless despair and unfamiliar indifference. Death Row seems to be for most of us, a place where the walls of ones concience seems to close in on them. Its a place where life seems without meaning - life without purpose. A place where hope does not come to you, you has to go out and find it...And I've acknowledge for a few the will to die is greater than the will to live...continually like a lamb waiting to be executed they call it...But its really coldblooded and senseless murder. Is there truly "justice" in the form of murder?
Second: In the stillness of the night even the walls has witnessed too much of the evil and horror of this place. And you can hear it cry out for friendship. So if those very walls crying out for friendship...then you has an insight of what friendship to the heart and mind, soul of a human must mean. And yes - true friendship is rare.
But for "me" I have for many years stood before the walls of this man made hell to fight the shadows of such a lonely existence. There was a time that I grew weary under such despair - hurt - pain, etc. And found myself preparing to die. Until I almost forgotten how to live. Yet, the dreams, the hope and the need to find the tender hands of friendship, give me the "will," the "Strength" and "courage" of finding such an unconditional love and friendship. Today does this "friendship," etc? Or have I so long waited in vain? Only your friendship is a bridge to a world I cannot see! For now - I wait in hope to all who may answer. I love to read and write poems and poetry. Love, romantic, friendship, etc.
Sincerely,
JAMES SESSION
Death Row 1999
PLEASE WRITE!
James Session
# 669
Ellis Unit
Huntsville Texas
77343 USA
PLEASE HELP !
Date:
4-21-99
From: Death Row,
U.S.A
Reason: A Cry
For Justice with your help.
Hello "Comrades"
I'm in need of
your assistances. Whatever that assistance may be within your power
or will to offer. Concerning the crime and punishment of the conviction,
I now have sit on Texas death row USA, for these pass 181/2
years. Whether it be financial support, advice, questions, the writing
of letters on my behalf - or the vision to raise funds for the defense.
There are two places you can send donations, or write for further information
concerning this legal issue.
The addresses
are:
Comitato James Session
c/o Any Cerrato
Casella Postale 30076 RM 47
Conto Corrente Postale 12163002
Italy
The Italy Committee
was founded by Amy Cerreto and yes...it has been helpful...but a very slow
process due to Amy Cerreto trying to do it alone. This committee
- it is also a government approved and legally a non profit organization.
More information contact the above address. Thank you!
ATTORNEY'S ADDRESS :
Patrick J Burke, Attorney at Law
1800 15th Street, Ste 105
Denver, Colorado 80202
JAN 8, 1980 I was falsely accused and arrested of the murders of a man and woman in the act of a robbery at their residence. Though I was charged and indicted of two accounts of robbery - murder, but later only convicted and tried for the mans murder. For 18 1/2 years on Death Row I stood firm in my cry for justice, to prove my innocence and obtain my freedom. Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said : "If a man has nothing worth dying for he has nothing worth living for." I believe this. So it is my conviction - my hope - my prayer - that I will prove I'm innocent and to one day obtain my freedom and live out the rest of my dream. This is why I reach out today to those who believe that each man, woman and child has the right to live and the right to justice. If you believe this then please stand with me today so my voice will no longer remain silent but where it has long been one voice it must become many if we going to cause justice to ring.
Due to my 1980 conviction, there were prosecutorial misconduct. There were ineffective assistance of counselor, by my state appointed attorney. I want to mention a brief part of how I'm innocent sitting on death row, being that I was poor and unable to hire a lawyer - and not having knowledge of law, I had no choice but to allow the trial court to appoint me a lawyer...this lawyer was appointed by the trial court judge to represent me in a capital murder trial. This same lawyer also hired and paid by the same people who trying to convict me of this crime, picked by the judge, who has never tried a capital case before - or murder as far as I know.
First this lawyer visit me 2 or 3 times. During the whole 8 months I waiting for this trial to start, asked a few questions and thats that. Failure to prepare me for trial. He also said no need for me to testify, its up to the burden of the state to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. I wanted to testify, he wouldn't let me. This instilled in the jurors mind that we was hiding something, that I was probably guilty...3 or 4 members of the 12 jurors stated that they expected me to testify in my behalf. The lawyer knew they expected me to testify, and he didn't strike them. He still had 2 left out of fifteen strikes to use.
Second he requested funds for an investigator. The judge only granted him $250.00 dollars. What kind of money is this for an investigator in a capital murder trial? My lawyer didn't even try to obtain more funds, and this caused a lack of investigating the state witnesses. He didn't investigate none of the state witnesses. There were two knives supposed to be used in the crime. A "lab" in Dallas, Texas, said none of my prints was on them. And the two victims supposed to had been stabbed and one stabbed and shot. My lawyer didn't suppress the evidence of the knives to see who prints was on them. Since my prints wasn't on them, he just let it go. I'm sure the girl / boy who did the crime prints would have been on there. ..there was a box with a print on it, the prosecutor instilled in the jurors it was my print. My dumb ass lawyer didn't even call in an expert finger print and ballistics.
Third: Throughout the trial, my lawyer apologizes to the jurors for having to defend me. Stating he wasn't equipped to defend me, he never tried a capital case before. He also makes a statement ...I don't know whats best, life in prison or the death penalty, to go ahead and get it over with. All this in my transcripts. If a lawyer cannot determine the difference from life and death, he shouldn't be a lawyer anyway. This also left the jurors to think...or feel I'm guilty by my lawyers statement.
Fourth: All the witness both defense and state...was on a court reporter transcript tape. But my brother...the last to testify in the punishment stage of the trial. It was late when he started testifying on my behalf. The DA asked for a recess. The court never rejoined. and the jury was set to deliberation room to start deliberating on whether they want to decide a life or death punishment ! During their deliberation two or three times the jury sent a note to the judge and prosecutor. They wanted to hear my brothers testimony. The judge denied them that right. My lawyer could have suppress it but he didn't . He helped convict me.
Sincerely,
JAMES SESSION.
James Session # 669
Ellis Unit
Huntsville Texas
77343 USA
| In Memory Of James Session by Jimmy Jackson |
| Click HERE To Read Poetry And Writings By James Session |
