Dear Reader, thanks for being part of the movement to abolish the Death Penalty, and reaching out to the men on the row nationwide.  I'm writing because I'm in great need of your services.  I've been incarcerated since '89 and I'm only 26 years old.  And really alone for the first time in my life.  My
mother and sister were with me for as long as they could be considering the stress.  Right now I can't get anyone to even send me a watch battery or stamps.  The prison warden has gotten so tight on security that its impossible to hustle or carry your own weight.  After ten years of this crap I fully realize that I'm more likely to die here than not, so at least I don't want to suffer anymore than I have to.  I need a friend!
Old or young that is willing to help me through this hell.  I'm open-minded and willing to listen to your problems but lets not depress each other all the time.  We can discuss all topics and assist the other with getting over bumps in the road of life.  Honestly I'd prefer a woman  that I can love as a man can love a
woman.  But in my situation I can't be unrealistic.  From the beginning I 'm making it known that I do not want anyone thats not serious.  I can understand when it takes a week or two to respond but not all the time.  I'm really lonely.  Once again, thanks for doing your part in this struggle.  In time the system will change and there will be "justice for all." I have nothing to hide, so I'll answer all questions that you can throw at me.  How else are we to know one another? Or you can do the research yourself!  Peace!   Sincerely, Gary Hart
 

Updated Dec 8, 2000 :  I'm a 27 year old black male and I know more than likely these are my last years on earth.  I'd like to really believe that the appeal courts will save me before its too late, but but after ten years on the row I've learned that the courts  don't care.   They not only don't care about human life, but they refuse to do their jobs when reversable errors are slapping them in the face.  So I know that my chances are very slim.  So I need somebody to come into my life and help to keep my spirits up, yet to keep it real.  I like people from all walks of life that will discuss anything from the deep personal battles to the current events making headlines around the world.  On some subjects I realize it'll take time for you to open up, and thats cool, I'm willing to be patient.  I'm very nosey.  This part may run many of you off but I must be honest.  I want someone that can and will help me financially.  I need stamps and money from time to time, so you do not need to be rich.  But a few dollars in my life will make a big difference.  If I had another way I'd never ask.  But years ago the prison stopped  death row from maming hobby-craft items , that made me dependant on others.  Now I get nothing without help from the outside.  Its embarrassing to ask strangers for help, but I'm swallowing my pride now in the hopes that you'll understand my situation. and offer to assist when you can.  Life on death row is very lonely.  Years ago when I arrived the visits came often, but as time went by they declined.  Now I'm lucky to see one twice a year.  If you are not far from Alabama it would be nice to visit.  Atmore is about 65 miles northeast of Mobile. I'm willing if you are.   Thanks again!

Gary Hart Z518
Holman 3700 7 -D - 11
Atmore,Alabama 236503

A CALL FOR JURY NULLIFICATION !!!

Peaceful protest, letter writing, telephone campaigns and voting are ways that the Anti Death Penalty movement has  battled those that want the killing machine to continue.   These are all very important and have strong support within the ranks.

But there is another way to fight what we know is an unjust system.
Jury Nullification !!!  I do not oppose becoming radical, because its something that must be done.  Even with all the talk of a national moratorium on executions we need to step up our efforts.  Thats why I want each Thats why I want each of you to spread the word that you will no longer admit your stance when called for jury duty.  Why should you admit it ?  Only pro death jurors are accepted for capital murder trials while you are sent home feeling proud that you spoke up they are voting to convict and kill.  What does that accomplish ?  Not a single thing, not a damn thing.

If one person was on every jury and held out on the guilty verdict it would throw a blow to the system.  If this were to happen the state would have to plea bargain our cases oir stop seeking death altogether.  Our mission would finally be achieved, but you'd have to stick with the plan.  A moratorium is viewed by death supporters as
a way to clean up the flaws ands restore full public support.   How are you to save the men and women that have not reached death row yet ?   The public, the courts, and the politicians don't care.

Nullification is the answer to our prayers.  How many of you have been strucken off juries for opposing the death penalty ?  I know there were more than a handful on my original jury panel alone.  If you have a problem with lying, put it aside.  You are trying to save another persons life!  When asked why you are not voting guilty say the evidence doesn't satisfy you or say something is fishy.  Just never admit the truth til its all over.  When you walk out of those jury rooms you are turning away our best option.  Because public opinion is not going to change overnight, and we stand to lose thousands waiting for the tide toturn.  Do you realize how stubborn
Americans are ?

Its time to let the states know how serious we are.  Spread the word to everyone that shares your views.  Teach this tactic everywhere from the churches to the living rooms.  Think of how proud you'll feel after a week or two of sitting on a jury that is hung, "you" will have made another conviction so difficult.  Once we are convicted and sentenced to death we are like lambs waiting for the butcher.  States are gearing up to break records on executions like another sporting event.  This must be stopped.  And you are our best option.  Speak loudly against the penalty of death
until you are called for jury duty.  Thats when its time to fight them silently, but so
effective.

Gary Hart

I want to talk about the loss of loved ones.  Recently I lost two men that were very good friends to me.  Brian Baldwin was executed on June 18th and Victor Kennedy on August 5th.  I met them years ago when I arrived here. I was really a scared boy and did not trust anyone but over time these two (especially Victor) helped me deal with life here. When I learned of dates being set for them I did not know what to say.
FONT face3DArial,Helvetica>It felt like all conversation from that point was weird.  Perhaps if they were ill and had been on deaths door I could've felt normal.  But these are healthy men ages 41 and 37.  How can I say good-bye when you'll be killed ?  We often hear people say they did not get so good-bye to our victims, the members of their families that lost their lives in such tragic ways.  If they'd know death was coming and said good-bye it wouldn't have made the loss easier to accept.  I speak from experience, Victor was one of the best friends I've ever had.  Many people wish their friends were as good as he and it hurts now that he's gone.   He was a father of two sons (18 and 19, with around seven nephews, all very close to him).  Do you really think saying bye will make their loss any
better to swallow ?

I never thought about making friends on death row, we are sent here to be killed and there are some wacky folks here.  But friendship often comes from the most unlikely places.  Think of where and how you met your closest friends.  Could you befriend a man on death row ?  If so, I could really use a friend.  But keep in mind that I'm here for the state to kill me, and these bastards are doing everything in their power
to do that.  I never thought of losing my friends until it happened. I've lived through many executions and all affected me sadly, but these were the hardest.  I thought of suicide on both nights, I mean really thought of it, but they would not have wanted that.  So I fight on, trying to get a break from a very unforgiving legal system.  If you've known little of this US system it will amaze you with its complex nature.

To close this long and off track letter I'd like to say "If you know how to say good-bye to someone please let me know."  And if you'd like to become my penpal don't hesitate to write.






MODERN VIOLENCE

Why are so many dying in the streets of America ?  The answer is simple, GUNS !  Anyone with a piece of a brain knows killing has gone on from the beginning of time,  We kill for many reasons but guns make it easy. I'm on death row cause I had a gun with a hair trigger, so I know.  Look at all the mass shootings that are common in the nation today.  I don't care how bad a man is, he can't kill three healthy awake people with  a knife or club when they are all together.  Ain't everyone having guns a great idea ?  And then we blame our criminals for taking the gun and doing whatever he wants with it.  I am not excusing that persons actions, but the governmental bodies and gun makers make the task easy.  People are going to be violent, its a hard fact of life.  But I welcome the day when Americans remove the guns from its nations streets.  Only the police, national guard, military, store clerks, and others at high risk of being preyed upon need guns.  Sportsmen? They can use spears, bow and arrow,
sling shots and so on.  If they want single shot rifles or shotguns its okay, but make them turn them in when the seasons over.  Or they could be stolen and end up in another jackass' hands.  I am well aware this is radical stuff and that it won't happen soon.  There are too many stubborn and selfish people in this nation that refuse to apply some common sense.  Its sad when criminals, the ones that everyone thinks are
animals, long for the good old days when all the kids had to fear was a pair of fists.  Criminals have guns so everyone else is scared, their reaction is to get their own gun, which helps the saga continue and modern violence thrives.  Imagine that there are very few guns on the street and America still has over one million locked in prisons.  Many of them could be returned to become productive members of society.  And all those tax dollars could be used to improve our sad education systems. Instead of that dream we choose to buy more metal detectors.

Over many years I wrote many people.  Penpal groups, friends of friends,
and so on.  How many ? I'd say close to 200 !  That's right, and many
of the addresses I wrote never answer my letters.  You may think that
would piss a man in my position off.  When I get no reply from someone that
I've wrote out of the blue I don't get mad.

What does get me mad is when people write me claiming they are looking for
penpals and they do not reply after I do.  Or these that write a few letters
then run.  Its hard to understand.

I do not try to get the women to fall in love with me.  I do not talk
under their clothes.  So why are they running ?  Perhaps they just didn't
like me.  Maybe I was boring.  Maybe I asked for some money and that ran
them off.  Whatever the reason they are gone.

Over the years I've pretended to be everything except a woman or gay.  I told
people I was religious because they was and I thought if they knew the
truth they'd run.  I got tired of trying to be something I wasn't
and learned long ago to be myself.  Currently I'm corresponding with six
people and they do not always write often, but they are writing for now.
So I'd like to thank the few.  The few that accept me for me, have really
become my friend, don't care if we disagree, and try to understand my
flaws as I have theirs.  Thanks for caring.