Featured image credit: SaveJeffWood.com/Gawkers
Jeffery Lee Wood, 43, is scheduled to be executed on August 24. He is currently being held on death row in Texas.
Wood was sentenced to death for his role in a robbery and murder of a gas station attendant.
On January 2, 1996, in Kerrville, Wood and co-defendant Danial Earl Reneau robbed a service station. Wood was waiting outside when he allegedly heard gunshots. He took the store safe, a cash box and VCR recording of the CCTV. The value stolen was estimated to be $11,350.
Wood was the getaway driver and was never found guilty of being a participant in the actual murder, but was given his death sentence under the Texas "Law of parties."
Reneau was executed on June 13, 2002.
In an attempt to understand what it is really like to be in Wood's shoes, Gawker sent him a letter. His response was distressing.
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Image credit: Gawkers
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"You deal with it or you kill yourself," Wood, who has been on death row since 1998, said.
Helpless in his eight by 10 cell, the inmate is desperate for the world to see that his arrest was 'bogus' and his treatment was unjust.
"I could point out so much corruption, errors on lawyers, judges, DA etc. it's unreal," he says in his letter and backs up his point by claiming that it is all 'provable'.
Life is pretty grim for Wood. Breakfast times change regularly between 2.30am and 4.30am. Lunch is between 9.30 am and 11.15am and dinner is dished up between the hours of 2.30pm and 4.30pm. "I don't have no fitness routine (why) I got a death sentence, I ain't trying to impress anyone" he said.
In his plea to defend his case, Wood added, "If people look into my case they all say I was railroaded, I shouldn't be here," he said.
The full letter reads:
"Howdy Hamilton
How are you & your loved ones? Good I hope. I received your letter and I am responding. NO I am 100% innocent. No my trial was rigged & my so called att sucked. My arrest was bogus they falsely arrested me on a fake warrant for another crime that I didn't do and it was dropped. You deal with it or you kill yourself that's how ya deal with it or take drugs- alcohol to make you forget where you are. I don't fear anything exp. when I have no control over it. Daily life is 22-24 hours in a 8-10 cell. I have no routine I do what comes up. Depends I write, read, listen to radio, draw. Depends on mood. Hell naw [over]
I don't have no fitness routine (why) I got a death sentence, I ain't trying to impress anyone. No they change eating times all the time (but) breakfast is between 2:30 AM-4:30 AM Lunch 9:30 AM-11:15 AM Supper 2:30 PM- 4:30 PM. If you got $ for food you eat when you want. Most get along ok (but) a lot are liars & backstabbers so it depends who ya are around, some snitches. Ya deal with it or you deal with them. I grew up to hunt, fish, play sports I was very good & could have gone to college, pro in sports but I had a kid and tried to stay but this happened. I could outfish & hunt 95% of pros in world. I can outshoot most snipers (but) I was taught not to miss cause you go hungry.
Yes there was phys abuse with belt & razor strap (but) there was more better than worse. My mom left us & sold us back to my so its another sad story and I am not one to play on the sad story stuff. I don't deal in politics its all corrupt & police & the government military to religion: leave done cause no matter if you try to point stuff out to people you can't change their mind when it's set so I don't care what people choose for religion. You treat me with respect you get respect. Media puts what they want or think will sell that's crap too. If you do an interview put what I say all of it or nothing don't paste & cut it. Cause that makes us look bad. It's all about $, ratings for yall.
But I still try to help you cause I know yall got to eat & have kids, bills etc. (I wish) I could get Oprah, CNN, Dateline, Ellen, Dr. Phil TV time cause I would not be here. I could point out so much corruption, errors on lawyers, judges, DA etc it's unreal, and it's all proveable. If people care hear & get my side of things not go on what state, police say cause we are all guilty to them. If they really did a big 1-2 hr video or more there ratings would be good & it might get me help. But 99% of the no name media, newspeople ask questions. To me the bigger air time the better for me. Others I can't say cause I don't get into there [legal?] cases. If people look into my case they all say I was railroaded, I shouldn't be here [over]
Even the victim's family don't want me here. (but) no one does anything that's what I don't get all these people say stuff but don't help so (I guess) I really don't mean that much to them. I got X law professors, students, cops, DA, lawyers all saying I have done wrong (why not) help then? I don't get it. If I had a real law firm I would get out. Period. Ok that's it for your letter.
Regards,
J"
Words: Hamish Kilburn
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