About Me - Why am I so weird?

I am so very, very often asked why I am interested in inmates and prison reform. What is it that makes me so sure that writing inmates can make a difference?

The answer has plagued me for years but since hindsight is 20/20 I think I may have some of it figured out.

My stepfather was a notorious local criminal in and out of correctional facilities from the moment he came into my life at 5 years old. With crimes ranging from the uber-violent to exceedingly stupid we often found ourselves quickly getting the hell outta dodge and as a result, I found myself in a different school every year of my life until I was just about to start high school.

My mother was a consummate narcissistic enabler and I grew up with a certain feeling that the cops were out to get us. We were working-class stiffs, my mom would explain. We couldn't make it on the regular wages others were scraping by on. No. Dear old Dad loved us way too much to settle for that. He was supporting his family in the way he knew best.

As I grew up my personality morphed and meshed and went into survival mode to find a way to make life manageable among the criminal element that was my family, friends, and peers. I was constantly creeped out by some of the men my dad would have around and kept a running fear that one of them, or someone, would hurt me.

Over the years my youngest brother became a criminal of the highest ilk much like my stepfather. His crimes, however, were more of a bumbling variety and I would often step in to persuade probation officers, police, prosecutors, public defenders, and even judges to give him one more chance.

Eventually, I became a nonfiction writer and covered the crime beat in my hometown. I became familiar with the cops and the criminals. I interviewed investigators and lawyers, victims and family, and of course- the criminal.

More often than not I see the many ways the crime could have been prevented, the victims spared and the future a little brighter for everyone. There is always a trigger; a trigger set in place by forces other than that person.

I hope that the actions I take to understand and humanize our nation's inmates are a step toward reducing recidivism by making the United States more excepting and welcoming of prisoners starting a new life.

For interviews or inquiries please contact me at:

admin@thewomancondemned.com

Darlie Routier Texas

I was contacted by a penpal of Darlie Routier's who gave me some of the most recent advances in her case to share with you all. I began writing to Darlie in December of 2005 and she is one woman whom I will never understand how she got behind bars. Really. You know what else? With all the information ALREADY out there about this case, in addition to the newly discovered info, I think if you can't see this poor woman's innocence, you may just be an asshole. So many legal flubs, so much question and police innuendo that turned out to be nothing. So many fingers pointed and road blocks thrown up, I am surprised this case isn't used in other countries to point to the clusterfuck we call a justice system. I believe Darlie could have been released ages ago if the state had done the necessary DNA testing. Sadly, Texas has tried to stop it in every unconstitutional way they could pull out of a bull's ass. BUT- there is hope on the horizon. This from Camp Darlie

The Most Beautiful Girls to Ever Kill Their Own Mother

As human beings, we have trouble fathoming the idea of a young girl committing so atrocious a crime as murder. Much less, the murder of her own mother. The concept becomes even more inconceivable when it pertains to a beautiful young woman beautiful young woman with a loving family and the world at her fingertips. These girls aren't all women in prison now. Some have been released and disappeared into the mainstream. Scary, huh? Nakisha Waddell At age 14, Nakisha Waddell stabbed her mother, Vaughne Thomas, 43 times in their Virginia home. In court, she said she was tired of the years of fighting and just exploded. Her 15-year-old friend, Annie Belcher, helped her dig a grave in the backyard. The pair poured alcohol and nail polish remover on the dead woman and tried to ignite her to no avail. They eventually mixed a crude concrete mixture and poured it on top of her and finished by covering her with sticks, leaves, and yard debris. She gives no reason or excuse o

Brenda Andrew Execution date

Brenda Andrew is the only woman on Oklahoma death row. She is there for the murder of her husband by her and her boyfriend James Pavatt. Brenda does not answer letters. It seems she may still have a bit of that pretentious attitude left over from her days as a respected deacons wife. Those days are over, hun. There is no scheduled execution date for Brenda yet. Oklahoma lists its dates of execution for the prison she is in here . Every time I read about this case I am utterly amazed at how stupid these two people were. She may as well have advertised their guilt on a billboard in front of the house. Both Andrew's and Pavatt's appeal were systematically denied without comment in 2008. The little Scorned episode "The Sunday School Killers" at the top of this post is about Brenda and James and its only $1.99 so its worth the money. Appearance White Female; 5 ft. 3 in. tall; 110 pounds; Brown hair; Brown eyes; Body Marks

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