Michaia Hernandez / Roundup
A former death row inmate spoke on capital punishment before a filled-to-capacity Great Hall Tuesday night.
Puerto Rican Juan Melendez, 59, was sentenced to death by way of the electric chair Nov. 2, 1984 after being wrongly accused and convicted of murder and robbery by the state of Florida. He was incarcerated for 17 years, eight months and one day.
It was 16 years after his conviction that evidence implicating the real killer surfaced. The evidence was in the form of a taped confession, and it was later discovered that the prosecutor had knowingly withheld this proof.
Melendez was released from prison Jan. 3, 2002, with only a pair of pants, a shirt, and $100.
The presentation commenced with a screening of the trailer of “Juan Melendez 6446,” a documentary that recounts his true story through narratives given by Melendez himself, his mother, lawyers and friends.
According to Melendez, the film, which was released by the Puerto Rico Civil Rights Commission, was shown in eight international film festivals.
Copies of the documentary were made available at the close of the presentation for $10 each.
Much of the presentation involved Melendez describing what it was like to be imprisoned. He foregone use of the podium placed on the far left side of the stage, opting instead to walk across the platform as he spoke to the audience comprised of both students and faculty members.
He began his account with, “I am not a killer.”
He did not dwell on the details of the murder he was accused of committing for the presentation; he instead focused on his experience as an inmate, and later as a free man.
“I was saved not by the system, but in spite of the system,” Melendez said. “I was saved by the grace of God.”
He ended his presentation with a message to the audience.
“You are all part of my dream [to abolish the death penalty] now,” he said.
Melendez and criminal defense attorney Julie Caruso, who goes with the former whenever he has speaking engagements, jointly answered questions from attendees in a short question-and-answer portion following the presentation.
Student attendees voiced their appreciation for the event.
“A lot aren’t aware of the legal system and how its works,” said 52-year-old criminal justice major Carole Michaux. “It’s important for students to know these things, because it’s something that affects everybody.”
The event was headed by Four Corners Co-op, a Pierce College student-run club dedicated to bringing awareness to students on issues concerning social justice, environment conservation, and overall health and wellness.
“This is the kind of thing that our club stands for,” said club president Kyle Morris.
Refreshments, $1 each, were sold by the club throughout the entire event.
“Part of the proceeds will be donated as part of Melendez’ honorarium,” said Four Corners Co-op co-founder Nam Tran during a recent club meeting.
Tran added that though Melendez originally asked for $250 to speak, but then agreed upon $175; however, the club wanted to give at least $200 stipend.
“Kathy Oborn is donating $100 for his payment,” he said. “And the French Club is also chipping in.”
Chair of Political Science, Economics and Criminal Justice, Kathy Oborn is one of Four Corners Co-op’s faculty advisers.
Caruso explained the necessity of the honorarium in Melendez’ and her pursuit of justice in the legal system.
“It’s literally just the two of us,” said Caruso. “There isn’t an organization of any sort backing us up whenever we do these events.”
She added that it was “the only way they are able to survive,” and that they are currently looking for a private sponsor to back them up financially.
http://ccadp.org/juanmelendez.htm
Guest speaker Juan Melendez looks speaks to the crowd gathered to listen to his story at the Great Hall Pierce College Woodland Hills Calif. on Tuesday March 16, 2011. Juan Melendez Spoke about being wrongfully incarcerated on Death Row for over 17 years. (Jose Romero 2011)