We plan to keep 1.27.22, the execution date for Matthew Reeves as the heading of our Weekly Report. The State is appealing a Federal Court’s issued injunction against executing him by any method but Nitrogen Hypoxia. Mr. Reeves has an IQ in the 60s and is intellectually disabled. Mr. Reeves was 18 years old at the time of the crime. You can find the Talking Points on our website http://www.phadp.org/?q=alerts and the petition at: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-matthew-reeves…

It goes without saying that we are doing all we can to support Matthew. This support includes stopping by at his cell to talk, to laugh, to encourage and to answer repetitive questions about his legal situation which he has difficulty comprehending due to his diagnosis.

Part of our mandate has always been to see and to acknowledge the positive and so we are pleased to report that there are a couple of groups which are making quite a difference in the lives of those who participate. Although they are not directly part of phadp we are proud to report that they either came through us to Holman or are facilitated by one of our Board Members, Dr. Katie Owens Murphy. It is a win/win situation for all, including the DOC without whose permission they would not be possible.

We appreciate journalist Lee Hedgepeth contacting us regarding last week’s note where we voiced concern not only about the outbreak of Covid on death row but also how the upcoming execution could turn into a super spreader. We have no complaints as to how the outbreak is being handled by staff and appreciate that those of us who were smart enough were given the opportunity to be vaccinated and to receive booster shots. We are however concerned how this outbreak might be accelerated by the upcoming execution and lead to possibly again allowing only one journalist witness which is simply not enough for comprehensive observation. https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/is-there-a-covid-outbreak-on-alabamas-death-row-heres-what-we-know/

In closing and as always, we continue to thank all our generous donors who either gave by going to our website and using the “donate” button or who gave directly. Thank you also to all who took the time to read our notes, commented, liked and shared them on Facebook. You encourage us and make all the difference. Stay safe and wear a mask!

                                                                                                       Esther