JOYFUL PIECE #17

Out of darkness the light of hope…

Hope in a Prison of Despair by Evelyn De Morgan, 1887. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

It has been a month of darkness in the world. The continuing destruction in Ukraine. The horrendous events in Israel and Gaza. And last Wednesday night, the murder of tens of Maine residents by a mentally unstable Army veteran. I was further grieving the seemingly inevitable execution of Will Speer by the State of Texas. But with the support of much legal work, he has received a stay of execution— his life spared once again so he can continue his ministry at Texas’ Death Row.

The task of staving off his execution was not easy. It took last minute appeals, including from his victim’s sister to change his fate— at least for the moment. But based on the imperfections and weaknesses of the case for a death penalty presented by the prosecution, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeal, the last resort within Texas for capital cases appeal, ruled in Will’s favor.

World events push us into a place where the difficulty of supporting a just cause before seemingly immense odds seem to push us into darkness. But we should never lose hope but continue to forge ahead for justice and non-violence in this imperfect world. The highest court in Texas has finally understood that even convicted murderers are able to turn their life around for the good of society. That decision is evidence that the value of restorative justice is being recognized.

Will Speer’s stay of execution is cause for reflection— and it is indeed cause for JOY.

For more on this story these links are helpful: Texas Defender Service and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays the execution of Will Speer . 

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