This case is one of several in a sudden and sick rush to push through a number of questionable executions before the last disgusting but if this administration is gone. The statement from her lawyer rips my heart out:
“The craven bloodlust of a failed administration was on full display tonight. Everyone who participated in the execution of Lisa Montgomery should feel shame. No one disagrees that Mrs. Montgomery was the victim of unspeakable torture and sex trafficking. No one can credibly dispute Mrs. Montgomery’s longstanding debilitating mental disease – diagnosed and treated for the first time by the Bureau of Prisons' own doctors. Our Constitution forbids the execution of a person who is unable to rationally understand her execution. The current administration knows this. And they killed her anyway. Violating the Constitution, federal law, its own regulations, and longstanding norms along the way.
The government stopped at nothing in its zeal to kill this damaged and delusional woman. After we, her attorneys, contracted COVID-19 during our travels to visit her after her execution was scheduled, the government fought tooth and nail against any delay to allow us to recover so we could represent her effectively. Then they violated the law in multiple ways in rescheduling her execution for the final days of the Trump Administration. As courts agreed Lisa’s case presented important legal issues warranting serious consideration – including whether she was competent to execute – the government hammered onward with appeals.
By insisting on an execution during a pandemic, this administration demonstrated its reckless disregard for human life of innocent citizens. Executions are super-spreader events. The government knows this. Yet, they put the lives of every single person who must participate in these “events” as well as every one of those persons' friends, families, neighbors, co-workers, and who knows how many other people. Because this administration was so afraid that the next one might choose Life over Death, they put the lives and health of US citizens in grave danger. In the midst of all this litigation, Lisa’s request for clemency remained before President Trump. It was supported by thousands of organizations and individuals – faith leaders, anti-violence advocates, conservative leaders, international organizations, and many more. But the President did nothing. He had not even the decency to formally deny – or even acknowledge – Lisa’s clemency application, though it is hard to imagine a case more deserving of executive intervention than this one.
Lisa Montgomery’s execution was far from justice. She should never have faced a death sentence in the first place, as no other woman has faced execution for a similar crime. And Lisa was much more than the tragic crime she committed, a crime for which she felt deep remorse before she lost all touch with reality in the days before her execution. Lisa was also much more than the horrors inflicted upon her, the sexual violence and abuse she endured at the hands of those who were supposed to love, nurture, and protect her.
Lisa was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister who adored her family. She was a devout Christian who loved Christmas and created beautiful angels for those lucky enough to receive her gifts. Lisa often became trapped in the prison of her mind, losing touch with reality for periods of time. But when not gripped by psychosis, she was a gentle and caring person whom I was honored to know and to represent.
Lisa Nouri, Amy Harwell and I represented Mrs. Montgomery for eight years. We loved her very much and she loved us. She honored us with her truth and trusted us to share it in a way that not only told her story, but that could help other women.
Even though President Trump could not be the hero we asked him to be, we are here to say to every woman and girl who has been the victim of violence and degradation: You matter. Your pain matters. You are more than a victim. You are a survivor. Do not let anyone humiliate or shame you. You deserve to be loved.
In the past week, we have seen just how far President Trump and his administration will go in their disdain for justice and the rule of law. This failed government adds itself to the long list of people and institutions who failed Lisa.
We should recognize Lisa Montgomery’s execution for what it was: the vicious, unlawful, and unnecessary exercise of authoritarian power. We cannot let this happen again.”
The death penalty is the result of the ultimate deterrent built into the criminal system to make examples of people to prevent crime. It’s a public display to terrify people into following the “rule of law.” But it sidesteps the spirit of criminal law that is confinement is for rehabilitation. So the most horrible people/crimes among us are publicly executed. That’s tragic humanity.
I remember standing outside a prison in Somers, Connecticut years ago the night a man was being executed. I said to someone there that I was not there for him. I was there for us. What does it say about us that we kill people to show that killing people is wrong. Still, I was wrong. I should have been there for him as well. Hurt people hurt people. I have no idea what his life was like but I wouldn't be surprised if it was probably as horrendous as Lisa Montgomery's. Thank you for your piece, Carrie. Keep writing.
I do agree with you Carrie. I have followed her story and my heart breaks for the abuse she encountered as a child and woman. What she did was heinous and unforgivable but she did not deserve the death penalty.
The death penalty has always struck me as barbaric in a supposedly civil society. I’ve seen no evidence that it’s a deterrent. This woman’s story is heartbreaking and tragic in every detail. Confronting mental illness with all means possible is more important than ever with so many stresses and anxieties in these extremely difficult times. Thank you, Carrie, for shedding light on this with your endearing and enduring compassion.
As a young child my sisters and I were sent to a children’s home after my mother abandoned us. I remember hearing stories from some of the foster children that would arrive from time to time. The brutality forced on some of these young girls, by people who were supposedly their their protectors, was mind blowing. I saw first hand the damage it caused them and the instability it created in their minds that created a lack of self worth and caring from the adults who were supposed to care for them. Often wondered what became of them.🌻
Thank you Carrie for this column! There are so many Lisa's out there - badly damaged women (and some men) who never get help, never have the opportunity to heal, just receive more punishment. Our work is ahead of us.
It makes me stop. Realizing I'm again holding my breath, not because of a visible threat, rather the systemic threat that has modified the functioning of my body and mind as the result of childhood trauma. The danger and threat of danger was real and intrinsic to my physical responses. I cannot fully comprehend her illness or the depth of the structural changes manifested in her. I know, however, that it was painful, unmanageable and appalling from her beginning to her ending. We have so much healing to do individually and socially. The transformation will not begin until the need is understood. Thank you Carrie.
I feel sick to my stomach when I think of people so loudly proclaiming the rights of the unborn and, at the same time, throw away the adult person. Who is an adult if not the product of her childhood? And where was the presidential pardon this time? Oh, that's reserved for "useful" people. What different values human lives carry!
I cried. Having taught traumatized kids for so many years, I’m so sorry that our society let her slip through the cracks (chasms, actually). Every person is born an innocent.
I read about this in today's paper, and I was so surprised. It was a horrible crime, but she wasn't in her right mind. The whole thing made me sick. There has to be a better way.
Another great article. What saddens me is that smooth-talking prosecutors use their educations and acquired talents to pursue the same kind of bloodlust pleasure sending their victims to execution as did SS Stormtroopers gunning Jews into a trench or so-called men of God burning heretics at the stake. Simply put, institutional sanctioning of lethal vengeance must be purged from our kind
I had not followed this story - so I am sitting here pretty much stunned after reading it. Thanks for your words and your compassion for this poor woman.
This case is one of several in a sudden and sick rush to push through a number of questionable executions before the last disgusting but if this administration is gone. The statement from her lawyer rips my heart out:
“The craven bloodlust of a failed administration was on full display tonight. Everyone who participated in the execution of Lisa Montgomery should feel shame. No one disagrees that Mrs. Montgomery was the victim of unspeakable torture and sex trafficking. No one can credibly dispute Mrs. Montgomery’s longstanding debilitating mental disease – diagnosed and treated for the first time by the Bureau of Prisons' own doctors. Our Constitution forbids the execution of a person who is unable to rationally understand her execution. The current administration knows this. And they killed her anyway. Violating the Constitution, federal law, its own regulations, and longstanding norms along the way.
The government stopped at nothing in its zeal to kill this damaged and delusional woman. After we, her attorneys, contracted COVID-19 during our travels to visit her after her execution was scheduled, the government fought tooth and nail against any delay to allow us to recover so we could represent her effectively. Then they violated the law in multiple ways in rescheduling her execution for the final days of the Trump Administration. As courts agreed Lisa’s case presented important legal issues warranting serious consideration – including whether she was competent to execute – the government hammered onward with appeals.
By insisting on an execution during a pandemic, this administration demonstrated its reckless disregard for human life of innocent citizens. Executions are super-spreader events. The government knows this. Yet, they put the lives of every single person who must participate in these “events” as well as every one of those persons' friends, families, neighbors, co-workers, and who knows how many other people. Because this administration was so afraid that the next one might choose Life over Death, they put the lives and health of US citizens in grave danger. In the midst of all this litigation, Lisa’s request for clemency remained before President Trump. It was supported by thousands of organizations and individuals – faith leaders, anti-violence advocates, conservative leaders, international organizations, and many more. But the President did nothing. He had not even the decency to formally deny – or even acknowledge – Lisa’s clemency application, though it is hard to imagine a case more deserving of executive intervention than this one.
Lisa Montgomery’s execution was far from justice. She should never have faced a death sentence in the first place, as no other woman has faced execution for a similar crime. And Lisa was much more than the tragic crime she committed, a crime for which she felt deep remorse before she lost all touch with reality in the days before her execution. Lisa was also much more than the horrors inflicted upon her, the sexual violence and abuse she endured at the hands of those who were supposed to love, nurture, and protect her.
Lisa was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister who adored her family. She was a devout Christian who loved Christmas and created beautiful angels for those lucky enough to receive her gifts. Lisa often became trapped in the prison of her mind, losing touch with reality for periods of time. But when not gripped by psychosis, she was a gentle and caring person whom I was honored to know and to represent.
Lisa Nouri, Amy Harwell and I represented Mrs. Montgomery for eight years. We loved her very much and she loved us. She honored us with her truth and trusted us to share it in a way that not only told her story, but that could help other women.
Even though President Trump could not be the hero we asked him to be, we are here to say to every woman and girl who has been the victim of violence and degradation: You matter. Your pain matters. You are more than a victim. You are a survivor. Do not let anyone humiliate or shame you. You deserve to be loved.
In the past week, we have seen just how far President Trump and his administration will go in their disdain for justice and the rule of law. This failed government adds itself to the long list of people and institutions who failed Lisa.
We should recognize Lisa Montgomery’s execution for what it was: the vicious, unlawful, and unnecessary exercise of authoritarian power. We cannot let this happen again.”
-Kelley Henry, attorney for Lisa Montgomery
-January 13, 2021
Thanks for sharing her entire statement (I felt it was too long to quote it all in my post). It says it all.
The death penalty is the result of the ultimate deterrent built into the criminal system to make examples of people to prevent crime. It’s a public display to terrify people into following the “rule of law.” But it sidesteps the spirit of criminal law that is confinement is for rehabilitation. So the most horrible people/crimes among us are publicly executed. That’s tragic humanity.
I don't believe it serves as any deterrent at all.
I remember standing outside a prison in Somers, Connecticut years ago the night a man was being executed. I said to someone there that I was not there for him. I was there for us. What does it say about us that we kill people to show that killing people is wrong. Still, I was wrong. I should have been there for him as well. Hurt people hurt people. I have no idea what his life was like but I wouldn't be surprised if it was probably as horrendous as Lisa Montgomery's. Thank you for your piece, Carrie. Keep writing.
Thank you, Mary. Perfectly said."What does it say about us that we kill people to show that killing people in wrong?"
I do agree with you Carrie. I have followed her story and my heart breaks for the abuse she encountered as a child and woman. What she did was heinous and unforgivable but she did not deserve the death penalty.
Total agreement! Thanks muchly!
We are a cruel and brutal culture, not interested in understanding and empathy.
The death penalty has always struck me as barbaric in a supposedly civil society. I’ve seen no evidence that it’s a deterrent. This woman’s story is heartbreaking and tragic in every detail. Confronting mental illness with all means possible is more important than ever with so many stresses and anxieties in these extremely difficult times. Thank you, Carrie, for shedding light on this with your endearing and enduring compassion.
Mental health issues are still a disgrace and a national tragedy
As a young child my sisters and I were sent to a children’s home after my mother abandoned us. I remember hearing stories from some of the foster children that would arrive from time to time. The brutality forced on some of these young girls, by people who were supposedly their their protectors, was mind blowing. I saw first hand the damage it caused them and the instability it created in their minds that created a lack of self worth and caring from the adults who were supposed to care for them. Often wondered what became of them.🌻
Thank you Carrie for this column! There are so many Lisa's out there - badly damaged women (and some men) who never get help, never have the opportunity to heal, just receive more punishment. Our work is ahead of us.
It makes me stop. Realizing I'm again holding my breath, not because of a visible threat, rather the systemic threat that has modified the functioning of my body and mind as the result of childhood trauma. The danger and threat of danger was real and intrinsic to my physical responses. I cannot fully comprehend her illness or the depth of the structural changes manifested in her. I know, however, that it was painful, unmanageable and appalling from her beginning to her ending. We have so much healing to do individually and socially. The transformation will not begin until the need is understood. Thank you Carrie.
Thank you for sharing that, David. I'm so sorry you've experienced your own trauma and hope you've been able to heal.
I feel sick to my stomach when I think of people so loudly proclaiming the rights of the unborn and, at the same time, throw away the adult person. Who is an adult if not the product of her childhood? And where was the presidential pardon this time? Oh, that's reserved for "useful" people. What different values human lives carry!
I cried. Having taught traumatized kids for so many years, I’m so sorry that our society let her slip through the cracks (chasms, actually). Every person is born an innocent.
I read about this in today's paper, and I was so surprised. It was a horrible crime, but she wasn't in her right mind. The whole thing made me sick. There has to be a better way.
Another great article. What saddens me is that smooth-talking prosecutors use their educations and acquired talents to pursue the same kind of bloodlust pleasure sending their victims to execution as did SS Stormtroopers gunning Jews into a trench or so-called men of God burning heretics at the stake. Simply put, institutional sanctioning of lethal vengeance must be purged from our kind
I had not followed this story - so I am sitting here pretty much stunned after reading it. Thanks for your words and your compassion for this poor woman.