At the Death House Door

Can you imagine sitting in a small cell with a person for 13 hours maybe more, knowing that at the end of that time the person you're there with will be killed. Carroll Pickett, the subject of this documentary sat with, and witnessed the execution of around 100 people.

After each execution he would go home and take out his tape recorder and describe the days events and how he felt about what had just happened, he did this for every person he sat with. A tape for each life he ushered into the chair. The documentary looks at how he went from being just a regular minister in his town to being the minister of a prison. During a prison riot a few women were taken hostage who belonged to his church, and they told him over the phone what they wanted for their funerals because they knew they wouldn't survive it. 18 year later he sat with the man who had shot a member of his congregation, one of those women. The man told him that he had confessed to that sin everyday since it happened. When asked if he had any last words he turned to the witnesses and said, "I'm innocent"

Part of the documentary focuses on a young man named Carlos De Luna. He was put to death for a crime that has most of the evidence pointed away from him. Another man even confessed to the crime around their neighborhood. Now was he innocent? Was he guilty? I couldn't say. But on the chance that he was innocent it seems like a mute point to decree his innocence to his family years after hes been killed. Nice as it is to know that he was (maybe) innocent, it seems hurtful to bring that all back.

My views on the death penalty swing and change. After watching this and hearing from those who have seen death, over and over, it makes me think it's the wrong thing. People claim it's a deterrent for crime, utter falsehood. I have reevaluated my stance, and I think capital punishment should only be for the most capital of offenses: genocide. Throw Hitler into the chair and zap him forever. Same with Stalin and Polpott. There are monsters in this world, but they are rare. Have a set procedure above the laws of our country. For someone like Hitler, they should be not only judged by one society, but all. A world court, and If they think to end his/her life, then so be it. Just a thought. I mean how often would we have to use it? I'm hoping not often. Other than that extreme I think I'm less for the death penalty. Truth and fact aren't the same thing. There is no way for us to know for sure someones guilt.

Especially since even if you commit a crime that doesn't make you guilty. The person has to feel the guilt. Guilt is subjective for the person. Pickett describes a few of the people that he watched die, including the mentally retarded who didn't get what was going on, how can you put to death someone who doesn't even know they've done something wrong? For those accused and convicted of these crimes let them sit in solitary for the rest of their lives, so if there is new evidence they can be set free.

Its a very well made documentary, and even for those in favor of the death penalty can't argue that killing isn't wrong, and that sitting at home knowing someone is dying is one thing, being there when it happens is entirely different. 8/10 stars.

Director: Peter Gilbert, Steve James