2008 Woodie Awards
Former inmate speaks of life on death row
After being wrongly accused, Juan Melendez shares his story with UNCG
Danielle Moore
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Campus News
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Kelly Travison, a senior, and president of the Sociology Club, helped to introduce Mr. Melendez.
"The Sociology Club wanted to host Juan Melendez because he is just one example where the justice system wrongly accused an innocent man," said Travison. "We wanted to make people aware than this is an irreversible process that should clearly be put up for review in the U.S."
After a brief introduction, Melendez was given the floor, and immediately grabbed the audience with his sense of humor.
"If you feel like crying, cry. If you feel like laughing, laugh. But please don't fall asleep on me," began Melendez.
He went on to give a brief history of his childhood, and the move he made from his home in Puerto Rico to the United States, where he hoped to find a better life.
However instead of living the American dream, Melendez was accused of first-degree murder. Despite the fact that there was no physical evidence to tie him to the crime and the two witnesses who testified against him had criminal records, Melendez was tried and found guilty.
Melendez talked about his experience with the legal system and, in particular, his inability to understand much of what was happening to him because he did not speak English well at the time of his trial.
In great detail, he took the audience to his time spent in prison, describing the horrible conditions he lived in for almost 18 years.
"Death row is hell," explained Melendez.
Melendez's strong faith in God also showed through in his speech. After three failed attempts to appeal his case, Melendez began to fear he would be executed for a crime he did not commit, and turned to God for help.
"I learned I had to trust something more powerful than the system, and the only thing I saw more powerful than the system was God," he continued.
Melendez told the audience that he was given a miracle from God. A new lawyer decided to help Melendez and after some digging, found the key to his freedom.
Melendez was released after a video of the real killer's confession was discovered in some old files relating to his case. Although he could not believe the evidence had been there all along, he was still ecstatic to be free.
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