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A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green
On October 26, 2004, Dominique Green, thirty, was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas. Arrested at the age of eighteen in the fatal shooting of a man during a robbery outside a Houston convenience store, Green may have taken part in the robbery but always insisted that he did not pull the trigger. The jury, which had no African Americans on it, sentenced him
...moreHardcover, 160 pages
Published
March 10th 2009
by Nan A. Talese
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One thing I learned is don't mess with Texas. This was a compelling story. Having just read The Green Mile, although fiction; it makes me wonder how many innocent men and women die on death row. My heart really goes out for this young man who was dealt a really bad hand in life. Growing up on the streets of Houston he chose dealing drugs as an alternative to other criminal activities. He had a horrible childhood with a crazy mother who abused him (even shot at him on several occasions) and an...more
This is a curiously tepid account of a compelling story. From my own experience representing a death row inmate in "post conviction" proceedings, I need no convincing of the futility, and ultimately, the barbarity and inhumanity of the death penalty. I need no convincing of the racism inherent in the death penalty as applied. I need no convincing of the inherent unfairness of "the system" in many parts of Texas -- from the appointment of inexperienced or incompetent counse...more
This is a very important book. Its a book that changes the way we see the world and can potentially save lives. I hope. It deserves to be a huge bestseller that everyone is talking about. When we settle into our belief structures we often move through life looking for assurances that those beliefs are correct and give us peace of mind. But one of the gifts of being human is we can challenge our thought processes by reading or having experiences that can lead us to possibly see the world in ...more
This is the story of a young man I promise you will never forget after reading his story.
A subject we don't like to think about but must as it is a stain on our nation that is so generous and yet we allow this barbarianism called the death penalty, a severe form of human cruelty.
The first question we should ask is not was he guilty, but did he receive a fair trial? There are no millionaires on death row. Had Dominique Green not been poor and black he would not be on de...more
A subject we don't like to think about but must as it is a stain on our nation that is so generous and yet we allow this barbarianism called the death penalty, a severe form of human cruelty.
The first question we should ask is not was he guilty, but did he receive a fair trial? There are no millionaires on death row. Had Dominique Green not been poor and black he would not be on de...more
This was a short but it inspirational book. The personal and spiritual transformation of Green is something we should all strive for. The book is about Green who was executed in Texas for a crime he did not likely commit. But prison allowed him time to read, study, and write, and grow in ways he could not in life outside its walls. He accomplish things many of us on the outside never do. Like truly reaching out to others,and making true friends. While it is a good read if your trying to look in...more
Similar to Sister Prejean's "Dead Man Walking," this book exposed the unfairness of the Texas justice system. Texas has a panel that oversees death row appeals, but is clearly committed to denying all appeals. Dominique Green was unusual in how dramatically he grew intellectually, spiritually, emotionally while he was in prison from age 18-30. His breakthrough happened through acquaintance with Desmond Tutu's teachings on Reconciliation and forgiveness.
The author shares ...more
The author shares ...more
A short but amazing story of the personal and spiritual transformation of a man executed in Texas for a crime he did not likely commit. Prison afforded him the time to read, study, and write, and allowed him to accomplish things many of us on the outside never do--truly reaching out to others, making of our lives what we can, finding compassion amid a harsh world, accepting love when cynicism threatens to overtake us. The book would stand well on its own without the unnecessary polemic decrying...more
I had hoped this book would be inspiring and passionate, but I found it plodding and not up to the subject, which is a very compelling story. You will learn something about how unjust our legal system can be, how a man facing execution can find a kind of grace, and who to contact to take a stand against capital punishment, but if you are looking for a good read I'm betting Dead Man Walking is a better choice.
I don't agree with Cahill's theology, in this or others of his books. I also don't completely agree with him politically. But I continue to find him a compelling author, nonetheless, because of the way he provokes thought and the way he uses words. The story of Dominique Green is tragic from beginning to end, a story that needs to be heard, and Cahill has done a good job in telling it.
Ironic to compare his growing up life with some of the youth that I work with here...and the absolute need for every child to have ONE person whom they can depend on...and how society loses out and ultimately fails those children that DON'T have that critical person...
An interesting account of how someone with great potential can get totally lost because of bad parenting and problems with the justice system. At the same time, it shows the potential of the human soul to rise to greatness despite terrible circumstances.
In some areas of our nation, the phrase "criminal justice system" is more descriptive adjective than attributive noun.
Is it always a fundamental tenet that justice, mercy, and forgiveness be rendered one-off in application to those most in need, rather than to those in power quite the other way?
If Texas were to secede, would the U.S. drop to fifth in the world for capital punishment?
Is it always a fundamental tenet that justice, mercy, and forgiveness be rendered one-off in application to those most in need, rather than to those in power quite the other way?
If Texas were to secede, would the U.S. drop to fifth in the world for capital punishment?
After I read this I thought, If i weren't white, I think I'd be afraid to drive through TX, just i case I was accused of a crime. But then NC's SBI was exposed for all it's corruption and I realized I was in just as much danger here in NC.
another in a long list of books about death row prisoners. a little pretentious. too much legal stuff...too much religious fault finding in people who support death penalty. an easy read
This book made you think about laws and the loopholes in some that can be for good or for bad. It brought up some good discussion in our book club about the death penalty.
Steve
added it
An education into Texas justice, or injustice as this case demonstrates. While definitely not a saint, no teenager, not guilty of being a sociopath, deserves this. Even then, the death penalty is inhumane.
Thomas Cahill is always a favorite of mine - he's prominent on my bookshelf. This book is no exception. Though brief, it is a must read, along with Dead Man Walking, about the death penalty.
A sad story, but makes you think about the death penalty and how "justice" is served in Texas. A really good read.
A great audio book.
A great audio book.
Through the life (and death) of Dominique Green, the author exposes racism in the U.S. justice system and the inhumanity of death row and the death penalty.
A heart wrenching book. A young boy raised in a horrible environment is convicted of murder for being at a murder during a robbery. He is the only one given the death penalty despite no physical evidence. One of the other individuals arrested was never charged because he testified against Dominique (he was the only white guy involved).
This book raises numerous questions about the death penalty as a whole and the death penalty in Texas in particular. Many advocate against the murder ...more
This book raises numerous questions about the death penalty as a whole and the death penalty in Texas in particular. Many advocate against the murder ...more
Actually not a saint but also deserved better than he got by way of our justice system.
Kevin, you should try this book. Death Row in Texas, pretty interesting!
It was a quick read, but impacted me. The author has a way with the English language and even in instances where he wasn't actually present, he is incredibly detailed due to his thorough research.
After reading I felt the desire to contribute to the organizations he listed in the Appendix and become a pen pal with a prisoner. I highly recommend this book!
After reading I felt the desire to contribute to the organizations he listed in the Appendix and become a pen pal with a prisoner. I highly recommend this book!
undecided on the death penalty? read this book.
Ok not exactly what I expected...not much to say about it.
About a guy that gets an unfair trail and gets the death sentence
I always knew that our justice system was lacking, but this showed the ultimate wrongs we commit on a daily basis, with fatal consequences. It is frightening how easily we sentence someone to death without real evidence. I truly believe that we must exhaust all attempts at giving people a second chance, even though some will not take it, some will not turn around their lives.
As someone not opposed to the death penalty for murder in principle this was a compelling read. The blatant unfairness of Dominique's trial made me think again and again. Researching the subject further only makes me concur with Cahill's analysis. The [in]justice system in Texas is rascist and unfair through and through.
I was not surprised to read that Harris County is basically the death penalty capital of the USA. How depressing.
Even though I agree with the author's stance against capital punishment, I found the book took a much too simplistic look at the issue.
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Born in New York City to Irish-American parents and raised in Queens and the Bronx, Cahill was educated by Jesuits and studied ancient Greek and Latin. He continued his study of Greek and Latin literature, as well as medieval philosophy, scripture and theology, at Fordham University, where he completed a B.A. in classical literature and philosophy in 1964, and a pontifical degree in philosophy in ...more
More about Thomas Cahill...
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