Writing is exciting, amazing—a dream. And last night, that familiar moment materialized when I realized I know this book so well, these characters like family. It is all so alive. Much different than just weeks before when I was pulling out hair and moaning and convinced, surely, that I had nothing to say to anyone, let alone enough to fill an actual novel. On the other side, I’m happy for sudden, flash-flood epiphanies that sweep me away.
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles has disgraced itself, and the state it represents … again. The Georgia Board exists, like all executive clemency institutions, to inject a bit of mercy and humanity into the cold, clinical processes of our justice system.
But the Board could find no mercy for Warren Hill.
On Monday, the Georgia Board rejected Mr. Hill’s clemency petition, despite pleas from the victim’s family and several jurors that there should be no execution. And without regard for the intellectual disabilities that should have rendered him unfit for execution 10 years ago.
[…]
But they were unmoved. How and why they voted the way they did will remain a secret, but the Supreme Court may step in at the last minute. If not, Warren Hill will be executed on Wednesday, July 18, against the wishes of the victim’s family, several of the jurors from his trial, and despite the fact that, “by a preponderance of the evidence” his execution is banned by the Constitution.
Update: Warren Hill’s execution has been delayed until Monday because of change in execution protocol.
Writing a synopsis is like meeting a person for the first time and immediately saying, “Wow, I can already see our kids—they’re going to look great.”
Awkward.
And yet, here I am.
I am in it.
Kathy, I’m lost,” I said, though I knew she was sleeping. I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why.
