SURVIVING THE DEATH PENALTY...

Softcover. Purchased as a POD book. The true story of one of the most heinous crimes committed in Indianas - the crime, the criminal, the victims and the unrest this death penalty wait held for 25 years. It is a parallel story of the criminal, the victims and their lives. This story is from the initial crime to its conclusion, with twists and turns that most average people seldom understand or endure. Donald Ray Wallace Jr. was executed for the cold blooded vicious murders of four innocent people - the Patrick Gilligan family. The crime was committed in 1980 and Wallace sat on death row for 23yrs claiming his innocence. During this time Wallace played the "crazy game", took hostages, continued appeals, and held a hunger strike, while the victims of this crime lived in agony and suspense. It wasn't until the end that everyone would finally find out the truth of that fateful evening on January 14, 1980. On March 10, 2005, the sentence was carried out; his execution by lethal injection - 25yrs after the crime. It is a compelling story that shook an entire community and thrust the city to the front pages, exposing emotions, loss and an emerging fear. This case is a prime example of the way in which the present system still reacts to death row inmates and victims of violent crime. It still holds true that most death penalty crimes have 20-25 years of waiting for any resolution. Illus. 385pp. trade size softcover. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. F. with no creasing to covers.