Chapter 4: A & G period by Ryan Finnegan

Impactful moment of Chapter 4

2025-04-10 15:39:46 UTC

The most impactful moment of chapter 4 for me was Herbert Richardson's execution. Even the guards in charge of the execution knew that it was wrong. Richardson obviously didn't deserve the execution because he was falsely convicted due to his PTSD/mental issues.

What Exactly Does It Mean to Kill Someone

2025-04-10 15:42:21 UTC

"I couldn't stop thinking that we don't spend much time contemplating the details of what killing someone actually involves"(71).

Is everything we see on the news about death row people true? Do they actually deserve the crime and to be killed? How is the system so reckless in the process of a human being's prosecution?...

Impactful Moment

2025-04-10 15:42:29 UTC

An impactful moment for me was how Herbert Richardson got executed for having PTSD. He did nothing wrong! And he wasn't even convicted for anything! Since when do they kill people for their mental health?! THERAPY EXISTS FOR A REASON!

Impactful section

2025-04-10 15:45:12 UTC

Herbert Richardson's execution was really shocking. First of all, his attitude was so shocking - how could he be so calm when he knew that he was going to die soon? Also, what he said to Bryan, he got more help than he got from the rest of his life, made me think a lot. If there was more mercy and kindness in this society, would he have been executed and enjoyed his life? If others wanted to know more about him and tried to give medical treatments for his PTSD, would the end of his life be different from this terrible execution?

Chapter 4

2025-04-10 15:45:22 UTC

I believe the most impactful moment of chapter 4 was Herbert Richardson's last moments. It impacted me by the overall sad and shameful emotions surrounding it. The shamefulness that the officers and guards felt after, even though prior the book stated they were pretty hyped up about the whole situation. It also impacted me for how much Bryan cared, and how he took even more action after by working on his goal. I researched what Herbert exactly did to get on death row, and it stated he placed a bomb in a package on the porch of a girl he liked. The plan was the girl would open the package and Herbert would (staged)save her, and she would fall in love with him. But, she shook the package, so the bomb exploded, killing her and also killing someone standing by. Herbert didn't mean any harm but ended up getting killed. He should've been treated better as he had PTSD.

Herbert Richardson

andresong1085 — 2025-04-10 15:45:54 UTC

I thought that the part where Herbert's story was introduced in the chapter was very impactful. The author used precise and descriptive language to describe his story and situation. The section was full of sad emotions. Herbert sacrificed part of his life that he could have used to do other things than fighting in war. We went to the war and fought for the country and his people; however, sarcastically, he was complained about and disliked by people around him after he returned. He was even executed for having PTSD and being a black man.

Mr. Lindsey's Case

2025-04-10 15:47:00 UTC

Mr. Lindsey's case impacts me the most. His lawyer, David Bagwell, wrote: "I generally favor the death penalty because mad dogs ought to die."(67) In a letter he wrote to him.

Although the jury chose to spare him during the trial, the judge and governor still decided to convict him death penalty. The governor assumed that their choice was the choice of the community.

Herbert Richardson (charlie zhang)

2025-04-10 15:50:14 UTC

It felt wrong that someone was killed just for having trauma from war. It is already a big duty for the soldiers to participate in war, and even worse for them to be punished for it. When he was put on execution, the police was aware that this isn't justified, but they proceeded anyways. The sadness at the end also shows the upsettedness of his family

Chapter 4 - Herbert Richardson

kammiesing — 2025-04-10 15:50:16 UTC

Something that was impactful to me was the events on pages 68 and 69, when Bryan comes into the Jail to see Herbert in his last few hours. I found this interesting because when Bryan first enters the Jail he is greeted by Herbet in a way that he didn't expect. Bryan thought that he was introduced "with a pride that was surprising and moving to me" (Page 68). This is especially interesting to me because Herbert is not worried about his upcoming execution but instead is living in the moment. He is thankful for all the things that his lawyer has done for him throughout his conviction. Herbert decides that it is important to pray, while most others would have been trying to prove their innocence and fight against those who are trying to execute him, Herbert allows it to happen and is thankful to those who have been with him on his journey. I found that this is also interesting because Herbert treats Bryan like he is a part of the family, and Bryan is the only other person present aside from his family and those close to him.