On Wednesday night, Texas jail officers plan to execute Ramiro Gonzales, the 41-year-old who kidnapped, raped and murdered Bridget Townsend after they had been each 18.
The Marshall Undertaking coated a dramatic flip in Gonzales’ homicide case two years in the past. A psychiatrist named Edward Gripon — who in 2006 had testified that he had delinquent character dysfunction and would at all times be violent — had modified his thoughts. Citing Gonzales’ willingness to take duty for his crimes, Gripon informed us, “If this man’s sentence was modified to life with out parole, I don’t suppose he’d be an issue.”
Gripon’s about-face forged doubt on Texas demise penalty legal guidelines, which uniquely deal with predicting whether or not folks will likely be harmful sooner or later. Shortly after our story was printed, the state’s appeals courtroom halted Gonzales’ execution as a result of the psychiatrist had additionally given the jurors debunked statistics. However the courtroom later dismissed these issues, paving the way in which for a brand new execution date.
Gonzales’ story echoes well-known non secular transformations on demise row, like that of Karla Faye Tucker, who was executed in 1998. It comes as many main evangelical Christians are questioning the demise penalty as out of step with their pro-life views. Over time, Gonzales and his supporters have described his path from childhood sexual abuse and neglect, to drug dependancy and violence, to non secular rebirth. Whereas on demise row, he earned a certificates in Bible research, endorsed different prisoners in a faith-based program they name the “God Pod,” and (unsuccessfully) tried to donate a kidney to a stranger. “How can I give again life? That is most likely one of many closest issues to doing that,” Gonzales, then 39, informed us.
Given how opaque executions might be, I requested Gonzales about his preparations and what he’s realized on demise row on the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. We edited the June 20, 2024 interview for size and readability.
What was it wish to obtain an execution date?
There was no shock, no shock. I used to be within the Skype session with the courtroom after they dominated in opposition to me, so I knew a demise warrant would come and I’d be despatched to “demise watch.” That’s what they name a separate space of demise row for these with dates.
As I packed up my cell, I pulled out my composition ebook and tried to jot down one thing, however couldn’t consider something. Ultimately, I discovered myself writing down the phrases “holy floor.” I didn’t know why.
A couple of week later, I used to be moved to demise watch and mopped the flooring with my hand and a rag. The lights from the hallway mirrored off the ground, so it appeared prefer it was waxed. I laid out on the cot and once more had this sense of God telling me, “That is holy floor as a result of that is the place you’re speculated to be.” Two days later, a volunteer pastor got here in to do a worship service on demise row, and stated, “We’ve obtained a brand new track for you, it’s known as ‘Holy Floor.’” So all of this felt like a theme that saved developing, a way that I used to be on holy floor as a result of I had a goal.
What did you are feeling was your goal?
After I was first locked up in a county jail, in 2001, I believed, Wow. I’m lastly freed from the medication and alcohol and might discover a approach out mentally. After I obtained to demise row, being stigmatized as a menace to society made me need to change, to assist others and myself.
Loss of life row breeds anxiousness. Every of us faces himself and has a selection of whether or not to thrive or deteriorate. Some guys, even these with numerous schooling, lose their minds — possibly as a consequence of paranoia, medication, complacency — and so that you make it a precedence to be there for them. The best phrase you may be taught in a spot like that is ‘accessible.’ To assist others keep their psychological capability and construct relationships with their very own family members. Freedom isn’t a spot; you discover freedom internally via religion. I noticed you might be simply as incarcerated, on a non secular degree, outdoors the jail.
On demise watch, how did your life change?
I’ve been on demise row 18 years, and I knew if I let something change my routine, I’d be letting myself be affected by issues outdoors my management. I rise up round 4 a.m., drink very robust espresso, take heed to a set of my favourite worship songs, pray, learn my Bible, do pushups or squats, and discuss to the blokes in close by cells. Generally socializing is therapeutic: I keep in mind one dialog the place I forgot about being on demise watch. After I get cellphone calls or visits, I discuss to my members of the family and pals.
It sounds a bit like being a monk.
I’m not shaving my head, although!
How did your loved ones and pals react to your execution date?
I’ve a small group of pals outdoors jail who I belief will assist my members of the family cope with the loss. I’ve tried to organize them, however I do know it’s going to harm.
I even have pals among the many officers. I’ve seen a shift within the mindset of the administration, away from the previous punitive angle. One girl comes each Sunday to my cell and says, “I’m right here to test on my little shrimp.”
Then the opposite day I had two outdoors visits in a day. An officer within the visitation space joked that I ought to convey a mattress and simply keep there as a consequence of all of the visits, and I stated, as a joke, “Nicely, in two weeks you gained’t want to fret about that, since I’ll be gone!” She obtained stern and stated, “By no means say that once more. Don’t discuss that approach round us.” I used to be shocked, as a result of I believed everybody knew my humorousness, however it was additionally validating: It confirmed that my relationships with these individuals are actual.
Excessive circumstances breed a morbid humorousness. I’ve seen it amongst attorneys and journalists.
I’ll say to at least one man, “Hey whenever you die, can I get your headphones?” And another person will chime in: “Wait, you’re going to die earlier than him!” It will get a lot worse than that. However I believe it’s regular for us.
You’ve some decisions forward of the execution: Who to ask as witnesses, and what to say in a closing assertion. How are you fascinated about these decisions?
I’ve tried to jot down a speech. It doesn’t work. Clearly, it will likely be an apology to the household of the sufferer, Bridget Townsend, however I would like it to sound honest, not scripted. So I pray God will give me the phrases, and I hope it’s honest sufficient for them to a minimum of settle for the apology. I don’t know that there will likely be any closure for them in watching me die, however I hope it’s sufficient to assist them start a journey.
I’ll have my non secular advisor Bri-anne Swan within the chamber with me, and there’s no person else I can think about there. We’ve been corresponding since 2014. For the witness room, I’ve picked folks with an eye fixed in the direction of legacy — what I’ll go away behind. So for instance, considered one of my protection attorneys coming is fairly younger, and I believe this will likely be gas to the fireplace for her, strengthening her spirit somewhat than breaking it, so she will combat tougher for different guys, to cease their executions.
The jail system has made it doable so that you can search rehabilitation in a faith-based program. How do you sq. that with them executing you?
I believe there’s a conservative, evangelical set of people that have misconstrued how the Bible talks about capital punishment. In Romans 13 there’s a passage that may be translated as, “The federal government doesn’t wield the sword in useless to him who practices evil.”
However within the unique Greek textual content, it’s within the current participle, and I see it as actually speaking about somebody who is a continuing, continuous menace to society. You possibly can interpret it as saying God needs the state to hunt each various, to attempt to rehabilitate this particular person, and solely then are you able to wield that authority. However God doesn’t say, “Do it.” As a result of clearly, love and mercy and style are higher. Some conservative Christians have taken it upon themselves to misconstrue these passages for political beneficial properties.
Your expertise is formed by tensions in our society: We haven’t settled on whether or not to punish folks or rehabilitate, whether or not we select cruelty or mercy.
I believe finally the state is afraid to acknowledge the truth that we might be rehabilitated and be a contribution to society from jail — as a result of it goes in opposition to how they prosecuted us, how they labeled us in courtroom as menaces to society. Admitting that mistake would open up a Pandora’s field within the judicial system. I want they’d be trustworthy and say: “We screwed up. Individuals might be rehabilitated.” But it surely’s arduous to confess your errors, particularly when politics are concerned.
Will the demise penalty ever disappear?
I’ve come to suppose that every one the folks working to abolish the demise penalty outdoors the jail could not have as a lot affect or affect as now we have inside. In case you may get everybody on demise row to be a graduate of one thing just like the faith-based program, to show they’ll contribute to society, then possibly we are able to develop into the vessels for the demise penalty going away.
