USA – Waiting on Death Row
Manuscript from article dated March 26, 2006

Anthony Medina is sitting on death row in a US prison. His attorney is fighting to reopen his case, as he is thoroughly convinced of the innocence of his client.

Livingston, Texas. The Polunski Unit – Death Row is located 40 miles north of Houston. We wanted to meet this man who supposedly has the death of two children on his conscious. Sentenced to death he has been waiting nine years for Day X, the day he is to receive the lethal injection. During our conversation any type of personal or body contact is strictly prohibited. A bullet-proof glass separates Tony from the outside world. We wanted to hear from him, why he is in here.

o-ton: Anthony Medina, death penalty inmate
„I am being punished for something that I didn’t do. I know that I really should not be here. I have kids outside as well, and should really be with them. Luckily, I have a family, that needs me and friends that are supporting me.

Campden Hill, a suburb of Houston. There is where Anthony’s story started nine years ago. The address 15431 is the scene of the crime. On New Years Eve, Tony is alleged to have shot two kids in a drive-by shooting. For nearly 5 years attorney Morris Moon has searched through the files of the Medina case. He wants the case to just be reopened. Doubts about the verdict have been raised through his intensive research and reproofing of witnesses.

o-ton: Morris Moon, attorney
„In Tony’s case there are so many problems. On one hand there is important evidence, which never surfaced during the trial, coupled with the many errors which took place during the trial. Tony’s case is a very good example of what can happen in Texas during a trial.

We are in downtown Houston, on our way to the courthouse. It has been five years since Morris Moon took on Anthony’s appeal. In spite of false witness statements and new evidence, a new trial has not been possible. The only thing left is hope.

o-ton: Morris Moon
„I believe that when Tony finally receives a new trial, and we are able to present all of the new evidence, it will be very difficult to prove that he his guilty.

Back in prison. We are not able to see Anthony’s cell, however, film material from prison officials gives insight into the life on death row. Daily life on death row is not pleasant. The days are interrupted only by mealtimes. Death row inmates are kept behind bars for 23 hours daily – there is no escape from this.

o-ton: Anthony Medina
„This is only vegetating. Every day I wake up, eat, get out for an hour, read and then go back to sleep. And I know that tomorrow will be exactly the same. I simply hope that the day will come, when I receive a document, stating that I will get a new trial.

For 10 years the big picture serves as a reminder for Anthony’s mother Golda to what happened. She cannot and will not forget her son. She is still unable to accept the sentence handed down from his trial.

o-ton: Golda Medina, mother
„Everyone believes that Anthony Medina is a monster. They all say, that he killed two children and therefore he should die. I am sorry, but how can one be so sure, when they were not even around to witness the act. I simply do not understand, how the state of Texas is capable of saying he committed this act. I cannot accept that.

She is preoccupied with thoughts of him daily. She broods over the photos, how could Anthony be pronounced guilty without his fingerprints even being on the murder weapon. She ponders often about his childhood. She knows that he did have his share of trouble. Before he was sentenced, he was the leader of a gang and oftentimes had run-ins with the police.

o-ton: Golda Medina
„Everybody is innocent at the beginning of their life, he was too. Then he made lots of mistakes and as well some poor decisions.

Anthony would like to spare his son of these experiences. He wants to be a real father, and that is one of the reasons that he is fighting for his release.

o-ton: Anthony Medina
„They will not get me down – they will not win this. That gives me the energy and strength to keep living, even if I have to sit here for another 5 or 10 years,  I know that they will not win out over me.

A new trial for Anthony could be a new beginning. The trial Medina is far from over.

©2006 MDR Windrose - Auslandsredaktion. Quelle MDR