Former Arizona death row inmate talks to UPIKE students
0By Kay Campbell
On Tuesday, March 24, a former Arizona death row inmate came to talk about his experience. “Witness to Innocence” sponsored the event. It is an educational project that challenges the American public to grapple with the flaws in the criminal justice system that have sent innocent people to death row.
Students who attended the event were given a questionnaire asking their opinions concerning the death penalty and the criminal justice system.
Ray Krones was put on death row for a murder he didn’t commit. Knowing he didn’t do anything wrong, he complied with everything the officers asked him. Krones never lost hope. He laid his Bible under his pillow. He had love and support from family and friends because they never lost hope in helping their son, brother, and loved one.
“I only had to tell them once that I didn’t do it, and they believed me because they knew me better than that. Without my family, I don’t know what I would have done,” Krones said.
Krones served 10 years for something he didn’t to do. He will never get those years back. While proving he was innocent was the main goal, he said he gained faith through the experience and now understands everything happens for a reason. Krones spent 10 years, eight months, and three days locked up before he was finally freed.