Presentation    

By Farley C. Matchett  - January 23,  2004

    Today we gather together to stand united in the fight to abolish the death penalty world wide. The eradication of this barbaric act bestowed upon men and women alike can not come too soon, for that may very well be too late for some of us languishing on death rows.

    Each one of you here, share a common bond... a belief in humanity and a belief that everyone has a right to live, regardless of what he or she accused of. No man or woman on the face of this Earth has the God given right to dictate who lives and who dies. This is a majestic scorn against Religious and Moral principles, but then too... those who deem themselves the giver or taker of life in name of justice, have no morals, nor principles.

    Let me remind you that here in Texas, 315 people have been executed since 1982 ; post-Furman era. The risk and danger grows greater every day, as those who control this reign of death an injustice eagerly push to eliminate more lives because times are changing and many atrocities of judicial injustice are coming to light.

    Tiny drops of water feed streams, rivers and then oceans. Most of you sitting here can not see the changes but they are there... example

    The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that is unconstitutional to execute mentally retarded inmates = Atkins -vs- Virginia

    Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged that a court appointed lawyer did not act in his clients best interest and acknowledged the violation of the Sixth amendment of the U.S. Constitution = " ineffective assistance of counsel". Mainly so because the attorney did not get up and investigate the inmates background. Had he done so, he would have found compelling evidence that would be classified as mitigating and strong enough to persuade a jury to come to a different conclusion, other than a death sentence. = Wiggins -vs- Cercoran     

    Three Texas Appellate Judges on the notorious Court of Criminal appeals acknowledged that the 9 member court had been knowingly appointing incompetent attorneys to defend State habeas petitions for death row inmates. The court was given  7 million dollars for indigent death row inmates defense, but some how, we never received the funds. A clear case of mis-appropiation of funds. So after they messed  off the money, they use incompetent attorneys who take the cases for $ 7,500 dollars: These are lawyers who do nothing to protect the rights of the defendants, and merely go through the motions as we are marched to the death chamber in assembly line fashion. This evolution of human conflict did not simply arise 30 years ago, it birthed itself from the seed of hate some 250 years ago. The conflict moved with a debilitating sense and purpose. It bombed, burned and hanged those who they found unjust and unfit for the society. From the seed of hate bigotry was derived, then social injustice spawned. From slavery to the electric chair. A Rope and vigilantes, to a power surge in the middle of the night. To proceed with their evil deeds, they wrote this barbaric act deep into their laws, which stood until 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is used in a biased manner against the poor and minorities. Little has changed since its re-instatement in 1976 ... 28 years ago.

    Every one of you has the capability to create a powerful force in the struggle, but those who are in this fight must "Unite" unconditionally. There are more forces that fight against the death penalty, than there are those who are for the death penalty. Here in Texas, there are basically 2 pro death penalty organisations, where as there are about 6 - 7 organisations that fight against it. In Europe there are far more against, than for, but the world wide problem is "in fighting".

    While cyber arguments are happening, some one is slowly being inched to the chamber. I am in no way accusing any of you, but I merely want you to see what a Greater force there could be if we all joined hands. You can make a difference, only if you believe in your heart. Organizations must stop breaking off due to malicious infighting because the time spent re-creating a new organization is crucial time to someone on death row. While people are fussing and fighting, they are loading up my comrades right outside my window in shackles, belly chains and handcuffs. Lacks are on each ankle along with leg irons and from my window I watch him shuffle to a waiting van that will take him quickly to the death chamber some 45 miles away. While he sits in a cell adjacent to the death chamber watching time, some discord and conflict within the struggles for justice are in effect. It shouldn't be this way because we all share one common purpose.

    When we as conscious individuals chose what we would fight against. We stepped whole heartedly into this fight. The fight has not changed, only the faces of the fighters. You are the fighters, the eyes of those bound by concrete walls, the voice of those who's literally level doesn't allow them to speak on paper... the person who is for us, when the world has turned against us.

    Today, we must be inspired by faith that the uncertainties of tomorrow will materialize in a positive manner. Too many men and women have died seeking something so simple... justice. So many of you have made relentless sacrifices and I Thank each of you with all of my heart, but now is a time where you must renew the commitment’s within your heart.

    One day the fruits of your labor will come forth. I can't say when, but the movement is making waves... a change is coming. I may not live to see it, but I want you to know that the struggle for Justice is soon to be victorious. If I don't live to see it, know that I will always be embedded in the hearts and minds of those who hear these words.

    Be diligent, Be strong, Be persistent, but by all means, be True to your heart. We have come a very long way and the road has been bumpy, narrow, filled with grief and despair, but you've not faltered... and here you sit... like me, ... tired, but not so that we will quit.

    So I say to you, the next time you see cyber arguments, remind that person of precious time they are wasting that could be used to help some death row inmate. None of us are ever going to always agree with each other, but for the sake of life, liberty and justice,... a compromise may give some inmate the shred of hope he's been longing for. Hope for Justice is more precious than gold and silver and its beauty is all some of us have to held onto.

    I thank you for your time in this and leave each and everyone of you with all my love, Peace, Blessings and Best wishes. Stay Strong in The Struggle!!! Stay United Forever!!!

                               Peace

                                          F.Matchett

Presentation Conclusion

P.S.

     Last night, I received a letter from France and my pen pals little 10 years old daughter always adds her lines with her Mothers letter. Last night she asked.... "Farley do you have faith and hope?"

     I found it amazing that such profound words could come from the mouth of a child... a child.

     In answer, yes I have faith ... faith that God will turn the tides of tribulation into an ocean of Triumphant Sea's... one day soon, "Hope", that man kind will come to the realization that in a civilized society such as ours, this death penalty punishment has no place on the face of this Earth and its eradication comes swiftly. Yes, I have faith and Yes I have hope that tomorrow will be better than to day.

 Thank You

                           Farley