Lonnie Johnson 999135
Polunsky Unit D.R.
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas
77351 USA
Lonnie Johnson
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY LONNIE JOHNSON AND HIS SUPPORTERS....
|
Writing By Lonnie
TEXAS DEATH ROW HOTEL |
|
Poetry By Lonnie
You're Not So Heavy |
| FROM THE WILLIAMS REPORT
By Nanon Williams - Death
Row Texas - September 5, 2000
Prisoner-to-Prisoner Interview with Lonnie Johnson |
| From:
http://www.deathrow.at "...
because Human Rights are international"
Lonnie Johnson's European Webpage |
"FROM THE INSIDE"
by Australian author Daffie Bidwell...
LONNIE EARL JOHNSON , an Afro-American born in Texas in 1963, is under sentence of death by the State of Texas. He and I have been pen friends since early 1995, but only recently has he written about the realities of living on Death Row. Infuriated when the American media portrayed it as a hotel - with murderers living in luxury at taxpayers' expense - he wrote an insider's view:
Lonnie was born in Houston. His family was poor but both parents were employed. He graduated from high school and went to college. Tall and athletic, he was a football star, but dropped out because his mother needed financial support. In 1990. as a 27-year-old with a son and a daughter, he was working in his small landscaping business by day and training by night to get back into football. He wrote that he was out jogging late one hot August night when he met 2 teenagers, complete strangers who offered him a lift home in their truck. Despite the racism of the area he felt safe with them because of their youth.
He told me that when he questioned the route they were taking, he suddenly felt a gun pressed into the side of his head and heard 'This is the end of the ride for you' Nigger.' When the truck stopped, he was forced out onto the ground and the 2 teenagers kicked him in the head and stomped on his back, all the time laughing and saying, 'Nigger you gonna die. I hate Niggers. We're gonna cut you up.'
When he was ordered, 'Get your black
Nigger arse up," Lonnie got up slowly, and then made a grab
for the guy holding a gun. He said he was mad with fear and
rage and struggled against this teenager who was bigger than him. The smaller
youth jumped on Lonnie's back. The gun went off. "The big guy falls.
I have the pistol now. The other guy
comes at me with a knife. So I pull the trigger."
Two weeks later he was arrested. He describes the experience as like 'having someone stick a thousand knives in my heart.' He said that until then he hadn't realized that his assailants had died. One of them had been found still clutching a knife with a 20 cm blade.
He strongly maintains that he acted in self defense; that he had no weapon; that one teenager had a gun and the other a knife 'If you 'd been in my situation,' he asked, 'what would you have done?'
Lonnie claims that he spent 4 1/2 years in jail in Houston before his case came to and that his state appointed (legal aid) attorney visited him only twice in all that time. On one of those occasions it was to offer him a deal - to plead guilty and receive a 60 year sentence. Not surprisingly he refused. Later he was offered a 50 year sentence and refused, saying 'Why should I do all that time when I'm innocent?'
He wrote, 'My family and friends were
in court every day. Everyone expected me to be acquitted. But my attorney
didn't call any witness on my behalf. The jury heard only the
prosecution side. Because of this I had a gut feeling I'd be found guilty
but I tried to stay positive. I kept saying to myself, "they can
free me. "
I didn't take the stand. I wanted to,
but my attorney said ft was better not to.
'The verdict was read out.
Found guilty of capital murder - I was totally devastated.
Numb and angry at the same time. Angry because this was
the justice system I had been taught to believe in. The government I'd
voted for. And here it was, condemning me to death... I was allowed to
see my mother
and father, one at a time, after the
verdict I came to Death Row in January 95.'
New laws have recently cut the period during which appeals may be lodged, and Lonnie's time limit is almost up. Understandably after his experience with his trial lawyer, he doesn't want another state appointed attorney to handle his appeal, saying that they are employees of the justice system that has condemned him - and he has no evidence that he would be properly represented. He has had an interview with a private Appellant Attorney who has achieved the release of other Death Row prisoners on appeals, and this man will take his case if Lonnie can raise $75, 000 for the fees. It is an impossibly large sum for a family that has always been poor.
But Lonnie keeps up his hope through days of what would seem demoralizing sameness, deadening predictability. In some letters he rages against the injustice of his conviction and the racial hatred he has always lived wit, but says, "I can do now is stay and be real with myself and others... I keep in shape with push-ups, and mentally, physically and spiritually I'm the best in my entire life. My routine is getting up at 2.30 a.m. to eat breakfast, saying my prayers, and if I have some very important letters to answer I turn my radio on, brush my teeth and get busy while irs nice and calm. Or just sit and listen to the birds sing outside my window, thinking about my children. Read the Holy Koran or law cases, write more letters, pray, eat, go outside for 2 hours, watch a little TV, eat, read, pray, write a few more letters, and that's the whole day. Very exciting, huh?'
He wrote in March '97, 'My mother came to visit me, bringing my son and daughter. The visit was very very emotional because my friend Barefield's family were there too. They were spending their last hours, minutes and seconds with him before his execution. But as I was trying to help them keep strong, my mother started to cry. It really hurts me inside to see my mother cry like that and there's nothing I can do. My son and I tried to comfort her, and I gave her encouraging words that if we work hard we can prevent this awful thing from happening to me. Barefield went to his death protesting his innocence. In fact it was his brother who had committed the murder.'
'Letters help me mentally, keeping my
mind out of this crazy place for a while.
I really enjoy the poems you send and
look forward to reading many many more. Henley's poem stuck in my mind.
Very strong and inspiring I say it as I walk. "I thank whatever gods may
be/ For my unconquerable soul .. . In the fell clutch of circumstance /
I have not winced nor cried aloud / Under the bludgeonings of chance/
My head is bloody, but unbowed. "
But sadly - for a man on Death Row,
with no money and no influence - courage may not be enough to save his
life.
Lonnie Johnson 999135
Polunsky Unit D.R.
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas
77351 USA
His appeal account is:
INMATE
DEFENSE TRUST FUND
LONNIE
EARL JOHNSON
COMERICA
BANK - Account 7887906589-20
P.O.
BOX 660332
DALLAS
TEXAS
75266-9675
Lonnie says it was a past girl-friend who told the police about him and the shooting. He said it was revenge. 'If can't have you, no one else can.' She told the police he killed the teenagers because they owed him money for drugs. He denies any connection with drugs, either as a user or a dealer.
Lonnie's family was poor but both parents worked. Mother was housekeeper to a family. Father worked in a racing stable. There's one brother - older than L. I don't know where he is. but I understand he is not supportive of L at present. As children they spent a lot of time with their grandfather because of parents working. Mother is a strong woman & great influence on L. She is aged 55 and is a Christian - as I think L was until he became a Muslim in prison. He had not been to prison before.
Landscape business was just Lonnie and one other man. He didn't have any training -just picked up garden knowledge from watching mother & grandmother.
Lonnie makes jewelry boxes. I don't know what sort or how many. He asked me if I could help him by selling them. Can't be done from Australia because of taxation rules for non-residents.
He lists his interests as his children,
nature, animals, training bull terriers & horses, crafts, ancient civilizations,
reading, arts. Doesn't watch much TV.
He is 6 ft tall & weighs 225 lbs.Lonnie
wrote, "I know only the strong survive,
& if you don't stay strong in this
situation, then you're executed mentally long before it takes place physically.
You can believe I will stay strong in every area possible because it's
not over until it's over & I will be fighting every step of the way.'
Pen Pal Request:
Hello! My name is Lonnie Earl Johnson, a 36 year old african american male, currently imprisoned on death row, in the state of Texas, and I am very interested in gaining correspondence from people all over the world.
I'm also a member of the Anthroposphical Society in America. I can understand the reluctance of people to get involved with prisoners on death row, for the emotional baggage is very difficult for everyday people to deal with, but I do invite all that are willing to write me.
Some of my interests are reading, writing, building hand made craft items, studying case law, exercising my body, mind and soul, and listening to my radio. I'm the father of 2 beautiful children that I love with all my heart and soul. I'm extremely proud of them and the way they have stayed focused on their education through this tragic ordeal for us all. My case is still in the state courts, but I can use help with my legal issues such as investigators and adequate attorneys, because I did not get a fair trial. Nevertheless I would still like to hear from you and please enclose a photo.
I
would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter to you, and
for your time and assistance in the above matter! Your help will be greatly
appreciated! Yours sincerely, Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson 999135
Polunsky Unit D.R.
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas
77351 USA
|
Writing By Lonnie
TEXAS DEATH ROW HOTEL |
|
Poetry By Lonnie
You're Not So Heavy |
| FROM THE WILLIAMS REPORT
By Nanon Williams - Death
Row Texas - September 5, 2000
Prisoner-to-Prisoner Interview with Lonnie Johnson |
| From:
http://www.deathrow.at "...
because Human Rights are international"
Lonnie Johnson's European Webpage |
