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Memo From: WATT ESPY
C/O LAW LIB} ARY —:— P. O. BOX 6205 —:— UNIVERSITY, AL. 85486
PHONE (205) 348-5925
~~
7-1-1983.
Tos Rick Terte
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter rela-
tive to interviewing me for the Dallas TIMES.
I attempted to call you over the telephone this
morning and was referred to the Supreme Court Law
Library, but the lady there did not know you.
She did state that Tim Lewis was working there and
I know him, so, if you should see him, give him my
regards.
I shall be glad to see you at your convenience, As
youstate that a weekend would be preferable, I would
prefer that we set the interview up for one Sunday
and you may call me as to time, etc, either here at
the Law Center or at my home number which is 556-
4921 (as this is unlisted, please do not give it to
anyone else.)
With best wishes, I am,
Sincerely yours,
PS: Wednesday night we:organized a local chapter .
of the Coalition Against the Death Penalty and
elected Professor Wythe Holt our co-ordinator, I
hope that you will be interested in joing up with
us when you return to the University this Fall,
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July 15, 1983,
To: Rick Dent,
On May 11, 1977, Governor David Soren of Oklahoma
signed into law that state's lethal injection bill
and Oklahoma thus became the first state to enact
this means of execution, The very next day, the
legislature of Texas enacted ihéirlkethal injection
bill.
Teahnically speaking, the hanging of Rainey B, thea
at Owensboro, Kentuckyon Avgust lly 1936, was the
last public hansing and it was witnessed by thousands,
Roscoe "Red" Jackson was executed behind a planked in
stockade at Galena, Missouri, on May 21, 1937. Howe
ever, as over 500 persons were allowed to witness the
execution, those not being inside the stockade seeing
Lt AKA thru a "window'? cut in at the top of the
wall. (Please see enclosed newspaper clipping cone
cerning this latter exe@ution.) Thus, the law in
the case of Jackson was, to some extent circumvented
and it would have to also be considered public, in my
Opinion, since those unauthorized b, the statutes
were allowed to witness it,
‘hen you have finished your manuscript, I would be
glad for you to send me the names of the persons mene
tioned on the taps to insure corre spelling,
\ UN
Rest wishes e
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July?27, 1983,
Tos Rick Dent
3691 Southmont Drive
Montgomery, AL 36105
The answerks to your questions are as follows:
1) The first name of eisinger was Al and the xa@amna
name of Ledlow (not Ludlow) was Bill,
2) Shumvay's victims were Mr. and ‘ws. Yacob Martin,
3) In view of Henry Schwartzchild's memo of July jth,
a copy of which 1 sent to you, and his statement
that Delaware had enacted lethal injection legisla-
tion, the only jurisdictions that I now show with
hanging statutes on the book are Montana (choice of
hanging or lethal injection); Utah (choice of hanging
or firing squad); “ashineton State (choice of hanging
or lethal injection); and the U, S.» Military which
prescribes hanging,
Am lookine forward to your article and would like to
have copies of both the article from the TIMES and the
Magazine article, ‘ill look forward to seeing you on
tezards.,
LF on
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I'll get
it back to you but I'm going to try to find someone to take
a picture of the picture.
Apparently it
Is the computer
I gave it to Suzanne and
L Hae: alot--of- tan.
Send it as soon as you can
I'm not so sure that Suzanne was glad that I came
Take care.
Remember how I got sick in Nashville.
November 18
I writing to remind you to send that photo of you.
Thanks for taking me on the trip.
was not the prime rib but a virus.
she was in the bed for two days.
because i'm-sloace to deadline.
Tell Danny and the shiteater hello for me.
working?
Dear Watt
However,
back.
Rick
Monday,
11-19-1985,
Rieks
The photercraph was mailed to reu on the
léth vie first class meil and I cannot une
Cerstend why you have not received it, It
probsbly arrived yesterday or vill today.
If you don't have it by the time that you
receive this letter, voliease advise,
Sserry to hear that Susenne got sick and I
sgree thet you must have had e stomach virus,
My prime rib wes delicious and I had no bad
effects, Hope both of you are better now,
Radelet celled last nigat and said that he
had attempted to ecsll Felice Levine vestere«
day bus did not get her,Would continue try-
ing. He wantsxto work out an arrangement,
if we cen get financing, for me to de work
of correcting through him which I would pree
fer, I told him I just did not want Smykls
or Fisher having anythins to do with it or
getting any recognition for my work that
they messed up so thoroughly.
| PVE
Regards « \ : a
PS: Dan says hi and the shiteater says for
you to come down as he needs a cood meal]
12-16-1985,
To: The Honorable Richard Blake Dent,
Honormary Assistant Attorney, Seneral
of the State of Alabama,
Sorry that I did not get to drep by on
Thursday morning. \“hen I got to veii's,
I lay down and promptiy fell asleep Oni
the sofa, I slept late and barely made
my luncheon dste with little Mary,
fnclosed is the photograph which: ‘you ree
questede Please return to me ai'ter you
heve it copied as it is the only cepy
that I have, When you have it copted,
see how much about 10 extras copies, this
size,would cost and, if feasible, ‘I might
let yOu have some msede for me A180.
}
Please send me copies of any articles that
you might eublish: concerning me snd the
project. Hepe that you will also mention
in them the fact that I am unemployed and
"virtually penniless" e stating that I
hepe to earn a living throurh Seudilting,
writing and lecturing. [+t might Abd me
some bites,
Give my best to Suzanne, and when ytall
come to Dothan, come on by and help me
with this damned Computer.
Incidentally, while we vere zone, Teena
called and said she asd sust learmss thet
I was no lonzer °% the Universis y- Denny
says that she seemed to. | - “m=
pletely end even wens
"she did not want to even hear Smykla'ts name
mentioned." Of course, I must eccept this
with a certeinamount of skepticism though it
is possible thet she was sincere and I hope
t she waSe
Sincerely, your. friend,
0
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Watt:
Just wanted to drop this note and let you know Im alive.
Washington is a gas. Ive only been here for a week but I
know the town like you would not believe. Ive hada
blast in Georgetown--lots of bars and great places to eat.
They work my ass off here but I have plenty of free time
to play. Let me know if you are coming up for the TV
program. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. The places
we go are gained by foot--the subway would not do us any
good. By the way, this old Souterner had his first ride on
a subway the other day, what an experience.
My place is just two buildings down from where I work and
right in the middle of everything. I could aot ask for.a
better location. But my aprtment is nothing more than a
glorified dorm room with a kitchen and bathroom.
Memorial Day was a moving experience here. I went down to
the Viet Nam Memorial and just watched. It really was very
sade Until now Memorial Day has meant nothing to me.
Do you happen to know the adrress of North Carolina's death
row?
My phone is not connected to something they tell me so lI
cant make long distance calls on it, just locals. My
phone will take all calls though if you need to get in touch.
The # is 202-676-2464.
Dont get too drunk. Say hello to Danny, George and the
Shiteater for me. Let me hear from you.
ad
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Show . ty Tey Decal i My v4 me
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