Professional Documents
Culture Documents
E Report Newsletter
If a man has obtained happiness from finding a loving partner, he indeed have been blessed with a very
“Injustice any where is a threat to invaluable treasure. Especially if that partner is a woman who is virtuous, loyal and profoundly
justice every where” compassionate. And certainly Mr .Eugene Broxton is currently incarcerated on Texas Death Row, but his
By Martin Luther King Jr. fiancée is remaining unconditionally supportive and she has done so for many years.. And the pure report
was given the opportunity to interview Ms Nadine Broxton. And this blonde haired, doe eyed beauty with the
----------------------------------------------
affable smile, has such a captivating spirit of kindness, that it reminded one of why we all should overcome
- any wickedness of heart. So I'm sure you will appreciate the time Ms Broxton has so graciously agreed to
share with us.
Nadine and Eugene Broxton
THE P.U.R.E Report: Greetings Nadine. How are you doing today?
Nadine Broxton Hello my friend, well, I have to say I'm doing fine. Just recently been in contact with you (by
letter).Because I know all of you guys need to feel alive and loved...As for me, I just recently found a job, so that made
my day. Now I'm Looking forward to fulfilling my desire to get on a plane and come to Livingston, but until then I will
keep smiling, try my best to remain fine, and handle each day from there.
THE P.U.R.E.Report: Certainly that sounds like an awesome plan to me. One Eugene will definitely love. Now I
must thank you for sharing your time with our readers. Most definitely it is appreciated, And congratulations on the
new Job.
Nadine Broxton I must thank you too. Because your work inside (the prison) is helping us outside (in society) to
understand a lot of the situations. You know, like what the guys are going through in there. The cruel treatment, the loss
of certain rights, no access to T.V, etc. so I appreciate you all giving us the descriptions and genuine reality of your
conditions. That way, we can fight more and more for your rights.
THE P.U.R.E. Report: Now Nadine, quite naturally, our readers are a bit curious to understand more about the Mrs
Broxton to be. So tell us about yourself?
Nadine Broxton Well I really will be Mrs Broxton this year officially. That is after my divorce is finalized, and yes I
was married when Eugene and I first met. At that time I had a good Restaurant Business and sometimes when I tell
people that, they say “wow” you were a millionaire” But no my friend, I was not. I was, and still am a hard working
woman. I believe I'm a good person at heart. Sometimes maybe too kind, because in the past false friends took advantage
of my kindness. But I suppose it's a lesson that life teaches us. continued on page 4>>>
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
THE P.U.R.E.Report: You may be right about that being a lesson of life, because sometimes in order for us to grow to become a better person, we have to experience certain
struggles to make us stronger. But exactly how did you and Eugene meet each other?
th
Nadine Broxton Well, I began to write Eugene in 2004 January 20 . Actually made it seven years you guys! With a good teacher's face I was on the internet and discovered
someone (Eugene) saying he was an innocent man on death row. It was actually an error that his name popped up, because I typed in Braxton and up came Broxton! I saw his face and
read his story, and a week later I decided to write him. And im so glad I did. I found this wonderful man that I love and I thank God for that. It was destiny!
THE P.U.R.E.Report: Now what would you say initiated or created the desire in your heart to write a death row prisoner?
Nadine Broxton Since 1978 I've been a fighter against the Death penalty. Furthermore, I would like to say to anyone deciding to write a death row Inmate. Think about it, Because
your pen friend is locked up 22 hours per day, and he is not pet you can abandon, or something you toss on the road. He is a human being! A person who will be close to you because
you may be his only contact with the free world. So just try to give him your genuine friendship and love, and that's what I did with my Eugene.
THE P.U.R.E.Report: What Qualities did you see in Eugene that made you fall in love with him?
Nadine Broxton My Eugene is an exact copy of me. He has a good heart. If he can help you, he will, but sometimes people take advantage of that. He is honest. He doesn't lie. I love
him for that. He is also sincere. It's hard to find someone beautiful inside, so I feel in love with all of that.
THE P.U.R.E.Report Now in general, the average citizen don't understand how a woman can have a meaningful relationship with a man in prison. So tell us how do you two
make your relationship work?
Nadine Broxton Well, It's something really difficult for people in the free-world to understand. Especially if they don't know anything about the person incarcerated, the prison or its
rules. And since we (Eugene and Nadine) don't have a physical experience in our relationship. It's probably strange for some people to imagine being with someone and not being to
hug, kiss, touch or even smell that person they love....but when the physical experience is absent, it creates pure love, great passion... so when you decide to dedicate yourself to that
person, I believe to make it work being honest and sincere is the best thing to do. It works for me, I use to say all the time that Eugene was created for me.. and I for him,
because we have such a very strong connection a really deep and I mean DEEP connection! It's been seven years and even if we are apart, it still feels wonderful.
THE P.U.R.E.Report: Certainly it's difficult having the man you love on Death Row, How do you deal with that?
Nadine Broxton Yes I can tell you, it's not easy, but we didn't make plans to fall in love. It just happened! So then you have to learn together how to deal with the situation, You
become unique in mind, body and spirit to cope with a unique situation. And you express genuinely the beautiful love that God has blessed you with.
THE P.U.R.E.Report: Please tell our readers in your opinions why the abolishment of the death penalty must occur?
Nadine Broxton The death penalty is unconstitutional in all of Europe, and as a European and fighter against the death penalty I'm proud of that... now the Death Penalty is not a
deterrent against crimes of murder. I'm a person who believes in God, and I really don't think God agree with people practicing that kind of torture. No matter what anyone may say,
it's inhuman! I've been a witness at the death chamber when my friend was executed, I couldn't shout, I couldn't move, I couldn't do anything to save his life. I could only
watch him be murdered! And that for me is enough to constitute the abolishment of the death penalty.
THE P.U.R.E.Report: I agree with you one hundred percent, and I understand how hard it is to lose a friend due to such a situation, But tell us, what precisely have you learned
from your encounter with death row?
Nadine Broxton My encounter with death row has taught me to be real strong, I will always remember my first visit, the noise of the doors behind me, the search my legs trembling
as I walked to meet Eugene for the first time, and there I seen men human beings, who have to fight strong because time may be running out and when an execution date is given you
become part of your friend or loved one's strength, faith and hope because it is all poured inside you and that has helped me to be strong. Continued on page 5
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
As I sat there anxiously awaiting the arrival of my visitor the only thought in my mind was ...who could it be? I was at least an hour into my (2) hour recreation time when an officer
called out my name over the speaker system announcing that I had a visit, it surprised me and caught me off guard because I wasn't expecting any visits at the time. The news of a
visit was like music to my ears. You see, I rarely get visits from friends or family because of the long distance one would have to travel from my home town.... so there I was, inside a
5x5 foot cage sitting on a top of a steel stool (which is securely fixed to the hard concrete floor). To my right and left sides were similar cages, each with it's own window, ledge, stool
and telephone bolted to the wall. It had only been a few months since I had first arrived on death row. My mind was racing between thoughts. Faces of family members flashed in my
mind as I wondered who the “mystery” person was. Thankful for my visit, I silently prayed that it was my wife and four daughters.... Now the time I spent waiting for my visitor to
arrive seemed like an eternity. With each passing moment, it felt as if all the moisture from my mouth, suddenly rushed and collected within the palms of my hands. Lost in my
thoughts I looked out through the window in the cage. At first glance the sight of the beautiful little girl walking in my general direction didn't immediately register in my mind. I
smiply thought that she was very pretty little girl.... Then it happened! As if it had been staged. The memory of that moment still plays vividly in my mind today.. The vision of my
wife with my three older daughters following closely behind (her) seemed to quell the butterflies that had been dancing in my stomach. It was my very first visit from my wife and
children since coming to death row.
My eyes carefully searched each of their faces, I watched them one by one, spy into each cage longingly, but cautiously as they walked past each of them. At the sight of my wife and
children I could no longer contain my joy, so a smile began to spread across my face- we both locked eyes, my wife and I as she came to a stop in front of my cage. My three girls
standing nervously at her sides and the beautiful little girl I had seen just moments ago was now holding my wife's hand. As my wife took a seat in front of the window, my three girls
followed suit. Reaching for the telephone on the wall, I couldn't help but start curiously through the window at the beautiful little girl (who was now sitting on top of the small ledge
on the opposite side of the window). After wiping down my telephone before placing it to my ear, I watched as my wife pulled out a clear zip-lock bag filled with baby wipes and give
her telephone a thorough cleaning before placing it into the tiny hands of the beautiful little girl. My wife then picked up the other telephone and gave it a good cleaning before
placing it to her ear. It had been nearly a year since I'd last laid eyes on my wife and children which is why I didn't recognize my baby girl... the youngest of my 4 girls... she was
born only (29) days before I got arrested (so of course) back then my baby girl could neither walk nor talk..... The little person in the window (that beautiful little girl) looked
familiar... But I was unsure.. Through the window I watched the beautiful little face. Then as if it were sung by an angel, the beautiful little girl spoke softly into the telephone and said
:
“HI, Daddy...”
“Jail house lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v the USA” By Mumia Abu Jamal, city lights publishers, 2009 order from www.leftbooks.com “Jail house lawyers: Prisoners
Defending Prisoners v the USA” wow! Before I say what it is, let me say where it belongs: right next to Howard Zinn's “ A people's history of the United States” Like all societies, U.S
prison houses have a beginning. They have a history, and as has been written, “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class structure” This is our struggle, our
History, written by one of our very own, from our perspective, a prisoner's perspective. The prisoner's struggle is a human struggle that has yet to be recognized as such, Save for the
most politicized as segment of nominally free society, prisoners have had to go it alone, suffering, sometimes dying, without anyone to turn to but ourselves. What we, the
dispossessed, have most needed-lawyers, writers, poets, organizers, educators – have largely come from us. Forged out of struggle, we are the products of state oppression. Mumia
Abu-Jamal says it best in his conclusion, the “Afterword” We are “men and women, often self taught, (who) have developed a tradition of selfless service and in some cases excellence
to serve the needs of society's dispossessed” Yes “Jailhouse lawyers” is our story, the testimonies of many, told to our greatest voice, out best and most prolific writer. These voices
refute that “history is the memory of states” as maintained by Henry Kissinger in his book “A world restored”. No, that memory, that propaganda is state repression. Lies intended to
kill to bury,but here, in “Jail house lawyers” in the testimonies of revolutionary resistance, we rise in that beautiful, victorious way described by distinguished poet Maya Angelou:
You may write me down in History
with your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
The book begins with a lively interview by Mumia of a Philadelphia prisoner, Delbert Africa, years before Mumia himself became a prisoner. Africa is trying with his best effort to get
a less-than -informed Mumia to see and understand how some prisoners come into the system, study the law for years believing that there is justice in it, that it is fixed by precedents
and thus applies equally to all, favoring neither rich nor poor- only to discover a must shocking truth, a truth often times too much to handle. “Them dudes get in there, read Alla them
law books, and before you know it, they be crazy as hell!” Delbert Africa argues, “what do you mean crazy?” Mumia asked. “Well, they may not be crazy when they get here, but after
a few months of reading that shit, they go down to city hall and when they see that them folk down there in City Hall, in the system, don't really go by that so-called law, well! “it
plumb drives them dudes crazy!” Yeah, man, but why it drives em dudes crazy? Mumia presses, still not undstanding. “Cuz they can't believ that the system don't follow they own
laws”. What Mumia could not conceive of then he would bear witness to later, perhaps still, to some extent, disbelieving his own eyes, After all, this is America, is it not? Where Life,
Liberty an the puruit of happiness are supposedly inviolable rights; where none stand at risk of losing Life, Liberty or property without due justice. This is what we're taught from
Grade school. And these are the values that we hold up before the world, loudly and proudly proclaiming to be a Nation of Freedom that we love so much that our young volunteer for
Military service to defend what we have with their life. “Jail house lawyers” shatters these myths and awakens us to the true function of their law, it's origin, it's intent and who it
serves, beginning with the Declaration of Independence (The breaking away of the rich slave masters, the wealthy, land holders and the powerful Governors of the colonies that were
in Rebellion and demanding freedom; a freedom that included the freedom to keep others in Bondage). The slaves were Governed by separate, uniquely designed laws, known as
slave codes to keep them subdued. After Slavery was abolished in it's traditional chattel form, a new series of laws passed called “Black codes” that made everything but breathing a
crime for the Ex-Slaves. Consequently, many were arrested in droves, as the Black codes did what they were designed to do: Re- Harness their labor. We, the prisoners, are the new
slaves, Governed now by “prisoner codes”, codes that have lately become stricter with the passage of the prison litigation Reform act. In all the ways that people can resist Bondage,
slaves, ex-slaves and prisoners have done it. In every way that one can go about attempting to acquire justice, they have done it. Using the law and litigation is just one of the many
avenues taken by those who fight back. These men and women who litigate from behind prison walls are commonly called Writ writers or jail house lawyers.
It is their stories that Mumia bring to us in his latest book. These men and women are our heroes, and finally their history was been recorded for all to read. At the summit of the
Americas, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave Barack Obama the book “open veins of Latin America”. I wish that I could give “jail house lawyers” to every person in the United
States, including the 2.3 million slaves locked in these plantations.
HEAR MY PLEA
The strength of my spirit allows me to rest to place any limitations on my means or methods (this is utilized) in fighting for my life. So I attack (my legal case) on
many fronts.... but on the other hand, if by chance the worse occurs, and my freedom never comes, then with a good conscious I can say: “I gave it my all...despite
the fact I had (great) odds stacked against me” Now ever though my constitution is stable, I must admit that being on Death Row will destroy you mentally.....in
fact, being in prison period can be one of the most degrading experiences in life. Especially when being subjected to strip searches, being identified by a serial
number, the awful dress code, Inadequate privacy combined with a host of rules that change too often, all a design as means to humiliate a person, and tear them
down, so I would be lying if I told you, that I'm not mentally distraught by this ordeal. Now I would like to share something I believe that is not only heart felt but
is quite encouraging. I've witnessed my friend “A Graves” knock on the doors of organizations and how people eventually heard his heart please of innocence. He
pushed and pushed to prove not only his innocence but also how unhappy he was with his situation. So every chance he got, he knocked! He never gave up,
frustrated many have walked away, turning their backs to him, yet and still he wouldn't give up. And that's because it wasn't in him to do so. Thankfully his
freedom came, his attorney that stood with him went to the county jail for a visit, and according to the newspaper the lawyer asked him: “Do you remember when
you said to me that God Is good?” A.Graves replied: “Yes” “well” she said, “God is good... you are free to go home” Tears of joy came to Graves eyes, and
while still in shock about the news, he was allowed to use the phone where in he called his Mother: “Momma? What are you cooking?” “Nothing, why?” his
Momma replied. “Well Momma, I'm on my way home” Screams and exciting yells escaped his Mother's mouth, an with a heart filled with joy, tears filled her eyes
and softly caressed a trail down her cheeks. The elation of this moment was long in coming, it had been a long and hard fight of 18 years so the tears of joy fell
from his Momma's face. Her baby was coming home and now she could once again embrace her son in love as she has dreamed of doing for so many years.
Reporters asked A.Graves what was it like sitting on Texas Death Row? He said “hell” whatever your definition of “hell” is because that's how it was”. That's a
profound statement wouldn't you agree? The desire and willingness to reach out for true embracing hands in hopes of getting help in some form or another is a
must. A Graves push, taught us all that we cannot do this alone, without strong standing people of support, one only have half a chance, one can be a movement,
but with the people we can become a force. The lesson taught here is that a modification by the people is required. A.Graves, may the grace of God forever shine
upon you, your family and all... God Bless
Guest contributor
ARTWORK
By
TONY MEDINA
(Staff Writer)
NO EQUAL JUSTICE AT ALL When the initial right to counsel cases were decided, the court seemed
optimistic that it could deliver on it's promise of equality before the
I was assigned Brad Levenson (Supervisory Attorney for the Texas law... In hindsight however, Justice Black's statement that: “There can
commission of Capital writs) (to my case) In December 17th 2011. But the be no equal Justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the
budget (for the program) was cut in February. And so was I was from amount of money he has looks more like a descriptive account of
Brad's case load... Now this is what (state of Texas representative) Rodney reality than normative argument for reform”.
Ellis said:
The court has taken some steps to alleviate inequality by requiring the
“If Texas wants capital punishment, then it must pay the price to make State to provide counsel that must be EFFECTIVE. Yet as we have
sure that innocent people are not executed, and capital trials are held in a seen, the court's moves in these directions have ultimately proved to be
constitutional fair manner” (Furthermore Mr. Ellis stated:) “This is one of more ceremonial bows than acts of reforms. It (The Supreme Court) has
those price we pay to keep the death penalty”. But I guess not in Texas stepped in to forestall the starkest inequalities. But its interventions
because they (Governor Perry and the Texas Legislature) cut the budget by have been more successful in legitimizing the gaping inequality that
10% and Brad (Leverson) had to cut his staff (which resulted in my case remain than in providing anything approaching substantive equality for
being cut as well) Former Justice John Paul Stevens said : “This risk of the poor. Although the court is not the only cause of the problem. It
executing innocent defendants can be entirely eliminated by any penalty does bare a special responsibility. Providing genuinely adequate counsel
more severe than life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as for poor defendants would require a substantial infusion of money. An
constitutionally excessive...” indigent defense is the last thing populace will voluntarily direct it's tax
dollars to fund it. Achieving solutions to this problem through the
The supreme court does not deserve al the blame for the mis-equality and political process is a pipe dream...Unless Life-tenured Federal Judges,
miserable State of indigent defense, this ideal it has of identifying equality and ultimately the Supreme court, require adequate Counsel, if not
before the law is admittedly difficult, and perhaps impossible to achieve in politicians and the public will continue to try to get away with allocating
our system.... A capitalist economy not only tolerates, but depends on as little as possible toward indigent defense. And even if the problem is
economic inequality. It is the possibility of earning more than one's neighbor not entirely attributed to the court, however the court alone had the
that drives the system. The notion that one would not be able to spend all power to provide a solution.
one owns to defend oneself in a criminal case is sharply constrained by the
realities of our economic system. Continued on page 13 >>>
P.U.R.E Report Newsletter
NO EQUAL JUSTICE AT ALL continued>> What bothered the critics was not that the centers were
too costly but that they were too effective, (so) congress
(Now) more is at stake here than reluctance to spend money on criminal defendants. was in effect willing to pay more money (tax payers
Consider the fate of the death penalty resource centers. A short-lived experiment in dollars) to ensure that Death row inmates got the worse
Federally funded legal aid office for death row inmates. Congress created the center in (and inadequate) of lawyers. As representative Inglis put
1987 to save money and reduced delay in the death penalty appeal process, because it: “Frustrate the critics implementation of all death
indigent death row prisoners are entitled by statue to a federally funded Attorney in sentences”. But a death sentence will be frustrated only
Habeas corpus proceedings, and without resource centers, the government has to hire if a judge finds constitutional error that can not be
private Attorneys to do this work. And pay those private lawyers between $35 to $75 an dismissed as harmless. (And) in those cases, the Death
hour, (But) resource centers by contrast paid lawyers a relatively low salary even for Penalty then should be frustrated...
public interest word.
To be continued …..
Bryan Stevenson for example, one of the best capital defence attorneys in the country,
headed Alabama's Death Penalty resource center, and drew in a annual salary of only Guest contributer Milton D. Gobert 999554
$27,000 in 1994...In addition , as “repeat players”, resource centers lawyers were more Polunsky Unit
efficient... But because death penalty cases are so draining (both emotionally and 3872 FM 350 South
financially) private attorneys rarely take no more than one (pro-bono) case in their Livingston. Texas 77351
careers. The private appointment system accordingly requires the Government to waste
resources funding a stream of inexperienced attorneys, each of whom has to start from
square one... A 1995 General Accounting Office study reported that hiring private
attorneys to represent Death Row inmates costs the Government more than twice as
much as using resource centers to do the same work, yet in 1995, congress cut off all
funding for the resource centers. Representative Bob Inglis, who introduced the bill
called the Centers “thin tanks for legal theories that would frustrate the critics
implementation of all death sentences.”
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“Revealing Claims” of Innocence
Part One.
After a conviction has been secured, It's a very difficult thing to reveal a claim of Innocence in a court of law. Especially when DNA can not be used or
is not a factor in that case. And with legal situations of that nature, it means that the conviction was obtained solely on the basis of circumstantial
evidence. Many times in these cases, nothing strongly exist to suggest that the defendants were involved in the crime they've been accused of.
Nevertheless, the prosecution still manage to persuade a jury to reach a verdict of Guilty. So many have lingered decades behind bars before the
injustice they suffered is exposed. So here at the P.U.R.E. Report we have initiated an investigation to locate men on Texas Death Row with legitimate
claims of innocence in cases that are circumstantial. And in this particular series the interviews are being conducted to allow these men the opportunity
to shed light on their situations and we begin this segment with our interview with Mr Eugene Broxton.
The P.U.R.E Report: Peace and blessing to you Mr. Broxton. I hope today's journey of life have been a rewarding experience.
Eugene Broxton: Peace and blessing to you too Brother and to everyone at P.U.R.E, and under the circumstances life is good, of course I would love to be out
there in the free world, feel me!
The P.U.R.E Report: Yeah Brother, I definitely feel you on that. But let me congratulate you on the good news. I can certainly imagine that you are one happy
camper.
Eugene Broxton: Thank you for your congratulations, and yes I am happy, but I'm also worried too. You know how this system works or don't work. I am hoping
that everything will work out for me. I don't mean to sound negative, but everyone knows how their system is, especially in Harris County. They don't play fair at
all!
The P.U.R.E Report: Your apprehensiveness is understandable, but let's hope Pat Lykos (Harris county Head D.A) will keep her word, and be honorable by
correcting the miscarriage of justice she finds.
Eugene Broxton: Let's hope so.
The P.U.R.E. Report: Now Eugene as you know, the P.U.R.E. Report recently did an interview with your beloved Nadine, and brother I gotta say,
that woman certainly loves her Eugene! What kind of spell did you put on that lady man? (lol)
Eugene Broxton Man talking about Nadine, it's no secret I love my Boo. She's the one that have worked a spell on me. She have that woodoo going on
(lol) She's my world man, she's my life!
Continued on Pg 15
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
The P.U.R.E Report: Life is filled with too many sad and unfortunate things so it's encouraging to know the blessing of love is still thriving in people's lives.
Now Eugene before we get into the Legal aspect of your situation, please give a brief history about yourself.
Eugene Broxton Wow! What can I say? I'm old school, but young at heart, just had my 56 Birthday, I am from DE Ridder Louisiana, but I call Houston my home
before this madness hit me. I try t stay positive and keep my spirits up. But I don't know where I would be without my friends (who are my family) being by my side.
I think I am good people, but that's my opinion about myself... (but) I try to treat everyone the way that I would like to be treated..
The P.U.R.E Report: Let us now discuss your legal journey through this experience. So please elucidate how your arrest in this case transpired.?
Eugene Broxton That was may 18th 1991, I was going to the store and the next thing I knew there was this white man who pulled out a shot gun on me, then he said
“YOU! COME HERE!” my first thought was “this is a jack play (robbery)” So I ran! But I soon realized it was the police. Long story short they arrested me and
accused me of murder. I know I hadn't murdered anyone, and I told them so! So they asked me could they search my house, and knowing I didn't have anything to
hide, I told them yes. I later learn that you never allow the police to search your house without a warrant. They took all sorts of things!
The P.U.R.E Report: So did the things the police take have anything to do with their murder investigation?
Eugene Broxton: NO! And they locked me up! I couldn't believe it! But I just knew in my heart that everything would work itself out, thi was a case of mistaken
identity..
The P.U.R.E. Report: The majority of the time when a murder occur an there is no known suspects, the police will begin investigating parolees or people with
previous prison convictions, so were you previously incarcerated?
Eugene Broxton: Yeah, I'd been to prison before. It was for something I did, o the last thing I thought was that I would be actually charged with murder for
something I didn't do, after I was charged, it blew my mind, but I was still thinking that the truth would come to the light, I really felt that...
The P.U.R.E .Report: So while you being booked in, did you continue to proclaim your innocence to the police?
Eugene Broxton: Of course! I said over and over that I was innocent, but the police kept saying we know you did it, why don’t you make it light on yourself and
confess, and I was like, I didn't do this (robbery, murder). And I didn't know anything about it either.
The P.U.R.E. Report: So this ordeal you've experienced, I must say sounds quite overwhelming.
Eugene Broxton: I couldn't believe all of this was happening to me, it was like a bad dream that I wanted to wake up from. The police was like, help us, so we can
put in a word for you with the D.A office, so they won't go hard on you, and I kept saying, But I didn't do this and I didn't know anything about it.
The P.U.R.R Report: Under the eight amendment of the U.S constitution, it states:” excessive bail shall not be required...” its part of a citizen's right to the
presumption of innocence. That way our citizen's may have the opportunity to prepare an adequate defence. So tell us, were you given a bond? If so how much
was the bail amount?
Eugene Broxton: When they locked me up, there was no bail for me. It was crazy! They charged me with so many different crimes until I couldn't believe it. This
was a nightmare, and all I wanted to do was to wake up and go home. I was sick to my stomach and felt like I couldn't breath. The money I had on me $4,500 the
police too it, and I never saw it again.... so I was robbed in more ways than one.
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter.
The P.U.R.E.Report: Now Eugene how long did you remain in custody of the Harris county jail before going to Trial?
Eugene Broxton I was only in the county jail like ten months before the trial started.
The P.U.R.E.Report: So were you able to hire your own attorney? Or was one appointed to you?
Eugene Broxton No I couldn't afford to hire an attorney, so the one that represented me was appointed by the court.
The P.U.R.E Report: How would you rate your attorney's performance?
Eugene Broxton I only saw and talk with that attorney for about 15 minutes, and that was before the trial started, He came to see me and introduced himself and
asked me did I do the crime. I told him NO, he said “i can get you a life sentence” and I told him Man I didn't do this robbery/murder, and he told me “that's all I
needed to hear”. And I didn't hear any more from him until the trial began!
The P.U.R.E Report: Wait! Back up for a second, you mean that, your court appointed attorney, who is suppose to defend you against the highest charge that
one can get, did not visit you at all during the ten months you were in the county jail?
Eugene Broxton: He only visit me for 15 minutes an that we three weeks after my arrest.
The P.U.R.E. Report: Good lord, so how could this attorney prepare an adequate or effective defence for you at trial?
Eugene Broxton: Wow! Everything that came up in that trial was a surprise to me. There was some issue I tried to get him to address during trial but he didn't do
it, I didn't know what to expect, but I knew that he should of talked to me.
The P.U.R.E Report: That attorney should have done more than talked. A proper investigation should have been conducted. But tell us a little bit about what
happened during trial?
Eugene Broxton I'm legally blind, and when I was arrested the police my eye glasses and I never saw them again and at trial everyone that said it was me (who
committed the crime) Never said that I wore glasses, and the D.A put man on the stand that said he was my room mate, I swear to go that man never lived with me
never! The name of my defense attorney is Troy Mckinney, he wasn't trying to win he went through the motions to show a good performance, so it looked like I got
a fair trial, But he did a half ass job that was all!
The P.U.R.E Report: So was there any physical evidence presented at trial to link you to the crime?
Eugene Broxton There was no evidence. None!
The P.U.R.E.Report: Knowing you were convicted and sentenced to Death for a crime you didn't commit how did that make you feel?
Eugene Broxton You know, when the jury came back in the court room, I just knew they were going to say: “WE FIND THE DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY!” but
when they said Guilty, I went numb all over. It was like everything was in slow motion, and I walked around for nearly two years or so feeling numb. I thought of
suicide. I remember being sentenced to death didn't bother me like being Judged Guilty did. I knew that I had not killed anyone and everything that was being said
in court did not show an prove the D.A's version of it being me..
Continued on page 17
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
The P.U.R.E Report: If the Public was granted the opportunity to view anything The P.U.R.E Report: But who is the attorney representing you now?
concerning your case what would you wish for them to see? Eugene Broxton: That attorney is Robert Rosenberg, and he is the first
Eugene Broxton I wish everyone could read my trial transcripts. In fact, the attorney that was not appointed to me by Judge Mcspadden, he was
Attorney that just got the action for me came to visit me, He'd only gotten half way appointed by the Federal Judge, and it took twenty years for me to get to the
through the trial transcripts, and told me that he couldn't believe that I was found federal courts.
guilty. He said there is no evidence to link me to this crime and all I would say was. The P.U.R.E Report: Now what process does your case have to go through
I Know! Ive been saying that for twenty years now! Imagine that! in the courts in order for this Miscarriage of Justice to e rectified?
The P.U.R.E Report: Were you worried that the appeal courts would fail in their Eugene Broxton I can't answer this, I don't know yet. The Federal Judge
duty properly address your claim of innocence? sent my case back to the district court, and I'm not going to lie to you. I'm
Eugene Broxton Yes of course, cause the last twenty years I've been trying to get scared! But I'm excited too. I can se the lights, but I'm not out of the woods
Attorneys after Attorneys to file an innocent claim for me. But the appeal attorneys yet and keep in mind I'm dealing with Harris county district attorneys and
would not communicate with me. I even wrote the judge and the Texas Bar they are dirty... real dirty.
Association on those Attorneys. But no one would listen nor help me. The P.U.R.E Report: In your opinion do you think there are others like
The P.U.R.E Report: Please tell us precisely what was discovered to help prove yourself who didn't receive a fair trial?
your claim? Eugene Broxton What's sad is that if everyone here (Death Row) would
Eugene Broxton Well my attorney came up to visit me and he said that the murder have had a fair trial, I'd say at least 85% of us would not have been
weapon was never found, And I said, yes it was. It was in the Houston Chronicle sentenced to death. Texas have the worst system in the U.S and have sent
newspaper that after I was convicted the murder weapon and 900 thousand dollars more people to death row than any other state and have executed more men
was found in a house and the police said they would test the weapon to see if it had and women than any other state, and the courts know they are killing
any ties to me, of course they never tested anything. Now if you read the police innocent people. That's sad, and it breaks my heart too.
report and trial transcripts you would see, there is no evidence. NONE! And that is The P.U.R.E Report: Well you Eugene we all at the P.U.R.E Report
what has been pointed out in my Federal Petition. And it's evident that Judge certainly wish you the best, and are very thankful that you allowed us to
Gilmore saw that as well. share this time with you. Good luck on your endeavors and we hope you
The P.U.R.E Report: Why was this not presented to the courts sooner? obtain your freedom soon.
Eugene Broxton Because all the appeal attorneys that had been appointed to me Eugene Broxton I really thank you for your best wishes and I hope that this
have been appointed by the same Judge Michael Mcspadden, that sentenced me to madness will end soon For me and everyone on Texas Death row, it's
death and over the years with every attorney I was given they got worse and worse nothing fair about this system, nothing at all. So God help us all!
Eugene Broxton 999044
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
IN MEMORIAM
MORE THAN JUST A ROSARY
I really would enjoy it if one of the first things people noticed about me was the radiance of my smile. Because these conditions, under which I live, have
robbed many here, of the smallest traces of happiness that one could have been found at the very core of their being, so heads hanging down, faces plastered
by frowns, and defeatist attitudes are things you find here en masse, Which is why the simple fact that I can smile, I can laugh, I can allow myself not to take
this place so seriously.. should be more than enough reason I capture folks attention. But it is not.... Instead people are drawn to the Black and Blue Rosary
that adorns my neck, which is comprised from 101 beads, and hangs to below my waist. As long as it is, and as stand outish as it is, I don't know why I
thought very little attention would be paid to it. But whatever the case may be, that was definitely wishful thinking on my part, because everyone who sees
me and views the Rosary always ends up asking me some form of question about it. The Questions have ranged from gang related to religious, From natural
curiousness to understanding, from playfully humorous to sarcastic. At first I use to not answer the questions. But If I did, I relied on my honor or wit to put
an end to deflect them, because the reason I wear the Rosary and have kept it for all these years, I felt was something personal, something that only belonged
to me, but here recently, even my attorney asked about it. When she came down to visit me and didn't notice it on my neck, so the time is now I believe to
finally talk about the Rosary. When I first arrived on Death row, I was just a kid, one confused, smart mouth, and belligerent kid. Fortunately, back then,
Death row was nothing like it is now, I was around men, who in seeing me, realized what I had the potential to become. Those men taught me, they mentored
me, they helped me find myself. They showed me how to open my eyes and in turn open up my mind. Today it's not like that, now we are all individually
isolated. So the communal environment I was allowed to partake in and grow from back then is something currently being denied to the life of many men. Written By
Men who need those teachers, those mentors, and those spiritual guides to understand that coming here is not the end of their life but merely a second
Dominique
chance. That all sounds so easy now, but at first I couldn't accept or even fathom that concept. I was like: how can you even call living here on Texas Death
Row a second chance at life? But what finally allowed things to fall in perspective for me was when a friend of mine, one of my mentors was set to be Green
executed. He told me the fact that his number was being called and not mine, was what gave me a second chance to use all the knowledge he passed on to May 13th 1974
me, to make a difference in someone's life, feeling deeply what he said, his words stuck to my heart, and in passing, not only did I pick up his torch, but I
also began making my Rosary bead by bead, each bead was meant to represent a friend, mentor, spiritual guider, etc. of mine who's died and gave me a – October 26th
second chance to use their knowledge and wisdom to touch lives. I never expected my Rosary to get so long. As messed up as the Texas Judicial system is, I 2004
expected the courts or the people to eventually put a stop to what was going on down here. But they haven't and 11 years after I was sent here, the death toll Rest in peace
continues to rise, more than 250 people have been executed since my arrival. I've known almost all of them. But at 101,I chose to stop. Because it was then, I
understood, how to utilize all the info I've retained, to have an impact on the lives of others and to help make a difference. Most men here will never get the
chance to understand self discipline from people like Paul Rogeau; how to have a sense of humor, even when things are at their worst, from people like Rick
Jones; how to have whole countries believing in them and showing an out pour of support to free them like O'dell Barnes; how to be a friend and big brother
like no other just as Vincent Cooks; How to never let this place break ones mind, body or spirit, like Emerson Rudd; how to lead by being a follower like
Ponchai Wilkerson; how to make people change their beliefs in capital punishment as did the wrongfully executed Gary Graham; and how to look at being
here as having a second chance at life, like DA'Woud.Those are lives my Rosary reflect. So No, it doesn't bother me, that my smile is not and probably won't
ever be the first thing people notice about me, after all, it's radiance is allowed to come from what I have around my neck anyway.
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter In Loving Memory
As I paced in the cage I'm forced to live, I waited to hear on the radio whether my friend had been murdered by Texas or whether he
would be given a stay. For a long while I just walked forward four pace.... then backwards four paces over and over. When I'm troubled...
in deep thought... or feeling down, this is my habit... Alittle after the hour I heard the news announce My friend was now Dead. This
wasn't the first friend I had lost since I arrived on Death Row, over 8 years ago, nor will it e the last I'm sure But I continued to pace while
I thought. Earlier that day I saw my friend during his last visit with his family, This was hard for me. I grew up half a block fro his father's
business and I saw him all the time. We knew a lot of the same people in our neighborhood. We'd drank home made wine and smoked
cigarettes together (when we were) on the work program (that was) when death row was still on the Ellis unit. We'd sat down together at
the same table to eat. There were just so many memories, yet so few also. But some of my best memories are of our conversation. We
would sit and talk about the death penalty for hours. The brother was extremely intelligent and would get real deep on a lot of issues, these
last couple years we weren't around each other much, but we did have a chance every now and then at visitation to see each other and talk
about what each of us were doing or trying to do in our fight against the death penalty. MARCUS COTTON
R.I.P
I remember once, not too long ago I was telling him that I had just met a great friend, who helped me put up a website and how I was now
trying to find help in organizing a defense project. I told him about the book I was doing and about how I'd started drawing again with the
hope of finding help to raise support for my defence. And he was excited! He said that it seemed things were coming together for
Written by
him(too). He told me about a lady friend who had a lot of experience in organizing events that had just started writing to him and she was Staff writer
already starting to help him organize a support group. It sounded like he had found a real diamond. ButWritten
the stateby
of Staff
Texas (killed) him. Tony Medina
(and) I thought about it, another thought crossed my mind ..I wondered if with the push of this one needle ho Writer soldiers would the
many 999204
fight (against the death penalty) lose? I recalled how after other guys we knew were murdered by the State, we would talk about them Polunsky Unit
Tony Medina.
and wondered what happened to their supporters? 3872 FM 350 South
999204 Livingston
Rest
We'd see how all too often when the state killed one of us, that guys supporters also lost the will to fight. My in friend
Peacewas a dedicated Texas 77351
Marcus
soldier in the battle to abolish the death penalty and I know from talking to hi that a lot of his supporters were Cottonfor the cause. I
also soldiers
guess I can only pray that those people who helped him, who fought with him against Texas' killing machine , will become even more
dedicated to the fight and will not let Texas win. (or) I hope that they re-join the battle and help someone else (in the plight)
I hope they won't let the needle that took my friend's life also steal their dedication.
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter. In loving memory
IN MEMORIAM
Reginald Blanton Aka Omari Huduma Blanton (C.Loc)
When I first started writing to Reg, I knew there was something different about him, something real, something spiritual. I wanted to know more about him, the more
and more we wrote to one another the more I got to feel his pain, I could feel his pain. But Reg was a strong minded soul, and he would fight for what he knew was
the right thing to do, he didn't just fight for himself but for others too, he was a brave man, a true soldier a real warrior. Reg gave others encouragement. He loved
his Brothers Christopher Young, and Obie, and others, and Chris knows as well as many others when Reg was asked a question or tried to explain things to you,
what would take you or I, 2 minutes to answer or explain, It would take Reg forever, he loved to go into the ins and outs of everything until finally the question
would have been answered. I used to think why is it, that Reg used to wear his glasses to visit to me, then take them off, if he was going to tell me off about
something,(smile) he’d put his glasses back on then talk to me looking over the top of his glasses, I couldn’t help but smile. Reg didn't suffer fools gladly either. I
didn't ever think the time would come when a date would be given for his death. Even though I went into the relationship with Reg with the reality that it could
happen, I never thought it would, Both Reg and myself hoped that Reggie's innocence claims would have been heard by the courts, but they were not. I have my own
reservations on this and how Reg got to death-row in the first place. For one they had the wrong Man, and for those of you that really did know Reg, will understand
when I say, he took that knowledge of whom to his death. A Brave man, A real man I felt honored knowing him and being a part of his life . I will always cherish
the times we did have together and I will never forget what he tried to teach us all. Reg was quite old fashioned in his morals which is what I loved about him, he
knew the right from wrong. Even though 18 months has gone by, he is so very much alive in my mind, and I with the help of his friends will keep his name alive.
And will never ever be forgotten. But the other thing I wont ever forget and that was that last goodbye to Reg, I felt I had lost my right arm, despite Reg being on
death row he tried to protect me as much as he possibly could from in that place, the times I cried to him, the times he cried to me, the state took him away from me,
someone that I loved and I could never forgive them for that. NEVER. I feel lost without him, I don't have his shoulder any more, they took him from me, they took
away the only person I ever gave my all to, (apart from my children and grandson) The only person that ever really knew all there was to know about me, They took
him from me, if only I could turn back the hands of time, but then Time waits for no one. I came back to England after feeling lost, no real support from anyone,
except one close friend, I had to deal with Reggies death on my own, because narrow minded people didn't want to know, I felt alone, I couldn't sleep for some
months, my doctor in England gave me medication to help me overcome what I was going to witness -(Reggies Death), as my own doctor from home said, that is
why the U.K would never bring the death penalty back, as us doctors are supposed to pro long life not take it. Even he said he could sit next to someone to hold their
hand whilst they die of old age or an illness, but to stand and watch someone be purposely put to death he could not do it, and by the sounds of it most of our
medical profession over here feels that way too. Reg taught me so much, and how to deal with different situations, he knew what I had been going through with all
the hate from Pro dps, and even some so called anti death penalty activists, and what Reg always said to me, was, no matter what you hear, don't believe anything
unless you hear it direct from the actual person. So maybe that is all something we should all listen to and learn by. Some of you know exactly what I am talking
about. Reg was a very understanding Man, unselfish, always thinking of others, that is why he used to protest, not just for himself, but for you all as well.
P.U.R.E. Report Newsletter
I read the article in memoriam of Willie Pondextor in the last issue of the P.U.R.E Report article I could
understand exactly how the writer was feeling when he lost his friend, they do say that time can become a healer,
but there was something else that the writer wrote, something about when the time was right for Willie to go to Written by Sandra Blanton
him, for a year I was hoping that Reg would come to me, we always spoke about things on that nature before he
was murdered, Reggies words to me was, keep an open mind, youl know the signs when Im there, this may not
mean much to some of you, but I was going to be made homeless, I went for over 35 homes after Reg died,
without success, then, a year to the day of Reggies death, I had a call from the housing association, offering me a
home, and I took that home, and everything is well, so as far as im concerned, that was my sign from him. In fact
the year to the day of Reggies death oct 27th, 2010 I felt more at peace than what I had done for a long time. So I
knew that was the sign. Reg would never want any of you to give up, he fought to the end, and he would want
you all to do so as well. I know I wont give up, So no matter how many times some of you feel at your lowest and
want to give up that fight, please don't, as remember, where there is still life, there is always hope. So for Reggies
Sake and the sakes of those whom has gone before, DONT EVER GIVE UP. You are all worth fighting for no
matter what, I was on thin ice of my own life at one time, but I kept going so please none of you give up. Times
will change. Raise your fist in the air, and shout Power to all Gods People, you are all soldiers in your own right..
And on a personal note to some of my circle of friends in there, for the support you gave me at that time, I thank
Christopher Young, Willie Trottie, and Tony Medina and also Tony Medinas Mama, without her I dont know Photo Taken the day that Reg
what I would of done, that Lady is a Queen of all Queens. And to Irma from Holland a lady I had only just met in departed this world
that October of 2009, good people. And Thank you xx.
Reginald Blanton
Rest in Peace Reg wherever in the universe you are now. June 3rd 1981 - Oct 27th 2009
I miss you so much my King. Rest in Peace.
Always and Forever with so much love.
And to all of you, stay Blessed.
P.U.R.E Report Newsletter