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Bryan Steveson became interested in prison legal work during an internship. He met Henry, a man on death row, and their conversation had a big impact on him. Even though Henry was facing execution, he was kind to Stevenson, which made him realize how unfair the justice system was. This inspired Stevenson to help people in prison.

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Quote: "I felt the need to explain to him that I wasn’t actually a lawyer yet...but before I could say anything, he extended his arms to me and smiled."

Response: This quote shows how Henry’s kindness surprised Stevenson. It made him see that even people in prison have dignity and deserve help. This moment pushed him to fight for justice.

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1. He was wrongfully convicted of killing a white woman, Ronda Morrison.

2. His case shows how unfair the justice system was, especially in the South in the 1980s.

3. Even though many people said he was innocent, the police ignored the truth.

4. Walter was a hardworking man who ran his own business before being arrested.

5. He was put on death row before even having a fair trial.

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“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

Response: This quote means that people shouldn't be judged only by their mistakes. Everyone makes bad choices sometimes, but that doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. In the book, Walter McMillian was treated unfairly for something he didn’t do, and this shows that we should try to see the good in others, not just their worst moments.

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Three Details about His Childhood:

1. He suffered physical and emotional abuse from his parents.

2. He didn’t receive much schooling, so he struggled with reading and writing.

3. He was surrounded by criminal activity, which influenced his actions later in life.

Connection to Karen:

Ralph Myers knew Karen Kelly because they were both involved in criminal activity. Karen was having an affair with Walter McMillian, and Myers got pulled into the case because of his connection to her.

Connection to the Two Murders:

Myers was pressured by police to falsely accuse Walter McMillian of murdering Ronda Morrison. Myers had no real involvement in the crime but was used by the police to frame McMillian.

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The Gas Station:

Walter was arrested while getting gas for his truck. It was an ordinary stop that turned into a life-changing event.

Fish Fry at Home:

Just before he was arrested, Walter had been hosting a fish fry with family and friends. This made the arrest even more surprising to everyone who knew him.

The Accusation:

The arrest was based on a statement by Ralph Myers, who said Walter was involved in a crime. Myers later admitted he was forced to lie.

Sheriff Tate’s Treatment:

Sheriff Tate, the local sheriff, treated Walter badly and acted as if he was already guilty, showing unfairness right from the start.

News Coverage:

Walter’s arrest was big news. The media made him look guilty, adding more unfair pressure on him.

Taken Away from His Community:

After being arrested, Walter was taken away from his home and his community, making him feel alone and scared.

No Proof, But Assumed Guilty:

Walter was treated like he was guilty even though there wasn’t any real proof, showing how the justice system was unfair to him.

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1. Venue and Jury: The trial was moved to a mostly white county, giving Walter an almost all-white jury.

2. Fish Fry Alibi: Three people testified Walter was at a fish fry during the crime, but their statements were ignored.

3. Bill Hooks’ Testimony: Bill Hooks claimed he saw Walter's modified truck at the scene, but he received favors for his testimony.

4. Ernest Welch: Welch said he saw the truck too, but later revealed he was pressured to say so.

5. Modified Truck: The state focused on Walter's "low-rider" truck as key evidence, but it lacked strong proof.

6. Verdict: Despite weak evidence, Walter was found guilty and sentenced to death.

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1. Charlie is only 14 years old, yet he’s being tried as an adult.

2. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, meaning he could be in prison forever.

3. Charlie’s mom had an abusive boyfriend, and Charlie felt he had to protect her.

4. Instead of helping him as a kid, the justice system treated him very harshly, ignoring his age and his tough situation at home.

5. In prison, Charlie felt terrified and isolated, especially being so young.

6. Lawyer Bryan Stevenson took on Charlie’s case because he believed the system treated Charlie unfairly.

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Trina Garnett

1. Trina was only 14 when she accidentally started a fire that killed two people. She never meant for anyone to get hurt.

2. Trina went through a lot of abuse and was treated badly growing up.

3. Even though she was so young, she was tried as an adult and given a life sentence without parole.

4. Trina faced a lot of abuse in prison and didn’t get the mental help she needed.

5. Trina’s story shows how harshly the justice system treats young people, even when they didn’t mean to do harm.

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Ian Manuel

1. Ian was just 13 when he shot someone during a robbery. He felt very sorry and even apologized to the victim.

2. Ian got life without parole, even though he was so young.

3. He spent 18 years in solitary confinement, which was extremely hard on him.

4. Ian kept writing to the victim, and she forgave him and even helped ask for his release.

5. Ian’s case shows how extreme punishments can be for kids and how they often don’t get a second chance.

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Antonio Nunez

1. Antonio was 14 and lived in a very dangerous area. He saw his brother get killed and faced a lot of violence.

2. Antonio was involved in a robbery with older people, and there was a police chase and shooting, but no one was killed.

3. Even though no one died, he got life without parole, which was extreme for a kid his age.

4. Antonio was treated like an adult in court, and his tough upbringing wasn’t considered.

5. Antonio’s case highlights how young people from tough backgrounds can get overly harsh punishments.

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1. After years in prison, Walter McMillian’s case was re-investigated, leading to new evidence proving he was innocent.

2. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) got involved, finding flaws in the original trial.

3. ABI agents discovered that witness statements against Walter were false or unreliable.

4. Walter took a polygraph test, which he passed, showing he was telling the truth.

5. The court found that there was no solid evidence connecting him to the crime.

6. Walter was finally exonerated and released after spending six years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.

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1. Marsha Colby, a poor woman, was accused of killing her newborn baby.

2. Gave birth to a stillborn child

3. Marsha couldn’t afford a good lawyer, which made it hard to defend herself.

4. Her case shows how poor people often face harsher punishment.

5. People judged Marsha unfairly because she was poor.

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Too many inmates, making it uncomfortable.

Some guards mistreated inmates.

Inmates couldn’t get proper medical help.

Inmates had little chance to learn skills or improve.

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Joe Sullivan

Joe Sullivan was sentenced to life in prison without parole at just 13 years old.

He was accused of sexual assault, but there was little evidence linking him to the crime.

Joe, who had disabilities, faced abuse and hardship in prison.

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Evan Miller

Evan Miller was sentenced to life without parole at 14 years old for killing a neighbor.

His life was full of abuse and neglect, and the crime happened after the neighbor gave him drugs and alcohol.

His case led to a Supreme Court ruling that life sentences without parole for kids are unconstitutional.