Statement from Howard Guidry, Oct. 19

Michael Johnson used to be my next-door neighbor on death row. Many mornings we walked the outside recreation yard together. Though we were divided by a row of bars, I felt a strong connection to Michael because the main subject of most of our conversations was our innocence.

Michael would become very emotional and excited when he talked about his appeals and the opportunity he had to prove he did not commit the crime. He was a very intelligent man and sometimes I could feel his frustration at the slowness of the appeal process. He often confided in me that despite everybody involved in his case knowing he did not commit the crime, he still wasn’t sure he would get off death row.

Some days were better than others for Michael. Sometimes we’d walk the yard with few words being spoken. I know on those days Michael’s despair was high.

Michael had a strong spiritual foundation. He often shared tracts about Islam with me. A few days prior to me moving to another pod, Michael gave me several Islamic books and flashcards. I say this because I am confident Michael was coherent and I know his final act was made with a sound mind & spiritual conviction.

The appeal courts may not have granted Michael relief.

The State of Texas may have ignored his pleas of innocence.

The executioner may have been priming its poisons and sterilizing its needles to murder another human being.

However, I believe in the end we can take some small consolation in Michael’s death because he was victorious. Michael destroyed the state’s plan to murder him. He took his own life. He freed himself. His last words, “I DIDN’T DO IT,” that were scribbled in blood across one of the cold oppressive walls that held him, resound painfully against those who represent Texas’ death penalty system.

May those words be our words, words than we repeat and we chant and we carry with us in our hearts to remember Michael Johnson. These words will remind the world that, yes, George Bush, we DO execute innocent people.

These words will remind us that we must continue the fight to abolish the death penalty because THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

Take Michael’s courage and spirit with you to Austin on October 28th for the annual march to stop executions and chant for me: Long live Michael Johnson!

Howard Guidry, SPN # 01446317
Harris County Jail, 6-N-1 , 701 North San Jacinto, Houston, TX 77002

Howard did 10 years on Texas death row before the federal court told Harris County to release or retry him. Howard’s new trial is set for Jan. 29. For information see www.howardguidry.com or contact 713-503-2633 or 713-237-0357 or e-mail [email protected]