The foremost topics of our meeting were issues related to the execution last week of our brother Matthew Reeves. We are still trying to understand how the opinions of 2 lower courts appear to be irrelevant to the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices and that being the case why at least some respect cannot be shown to come up with a timely denial. As for Alabama’s position, we expected no better but couldn’t help wishing that those in charge had heard one of the comments at the virtual vigil that it is in the racist Bible belt where while seemingly espousing Christian values we kill people to show people that killing is wrong. “All Life is Sacred?”

Yes, we are sad and angry but we also discussed all the support generated by the execution not only for Matthew but also for the abolition of the death penalty and we are grateful. We know that to quote our Advisory Board Member Callie Greer who spoke movingly at the virtual vigil that “The Art of Healing is: Don’t waste your pain. It cost you too much!” We will definitely not waste our pain and continue to move forward to fulfill our Mission Statement of working together with friends, supporters and other advocates to educate the public and bring about the end of Capital Punishment in Alabama.

There is going to be a service in Selma and obituaries for Matthew (per his mom's request) will be published in the Selma Times and in the major Montgomery paper. The information on his service can be found below. Our Advisory Board Member Callie Greer will be representing us and due to her own history will be of great comfort to Matthew’s family. https://www.lewisbrothersfh.com/obituary/Matthew-Reeves

We have some great news from Advisory Board member Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy that Vanderbilt University Press has officially approved our book manuscript and it will now head into production for a tentative March 2023 publication date!

There was also good news for Cory Maples whose death sentence was overturned by an Alabama federal district court because his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and present significant mitigating evidence in the penalty phase

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