Talking shit

Don't speak. Just let me clear my thoughts before you say something. Ok I am ready. Go ahead.
Too bad. You're still talking shit. And it smells bad. My thoughts are clouded again. Or should I say crowded?
Shit seems to stick. More than beauty. I keep repeating it in my mind. Words can have such an impact. I can still hear you say it in my mind. After I am done thinking, you have said it a million times.
Silence can be so beautiful, especially when it is coming from you. So peaceful. So quiet.
Sadly it won't take long. There you go blabbing again. It is not a gift to separate the shit from the beauty. It is a gift to separate it in your thoughts. Some people will always talk shit. Don't waste your energy.

Next time someone talks shit... Just flush!

The stars will be out soon

I send cards to death row inmates whom have received an execution date. It is part of  the great work Envelopes of Hope does.

I wondered how I would feel days away from my execution. I would feel so alone. So when I got the name and address of the man that would be soon get executed, I wrote: "I hope you will be able to see the sky at night, because every star represents someone thinking of you. Remember this when you look at the stars. You are not alone."

Just a few days after he was executed I received a letter from him. I didn't open the envelope right away. I just held it. It felt strange to have a letter in my hands from someone who isn't on this earth anymore. He was the 453th man executed in the State of Texas.

At the beginning of the letter he seemed to be in good spirits. He made jokes and sounded upbeat. I wondered what was going through his mind. Did he understand what I meant with my words? Did he know he wasn't alone? I got my answer at the end of his letter.

He wrote: "It's getting dark. The stars will be out soon."

I cried.

I am innocent!

Paul Zumot was found guilty for the murder of his girlfriend Jennifer Schipsi. There was no smoking gun, no physical evidence, no confession, no videotape proving his guilt.

There were videotapes showing he had an alibi at the time of the murder and arson, he was miles away from the crimescene. But of course the prosecution could not use that to convict him.
A restraining order against two men just a week before her murder, because Jennifer feared for her and Paul's life. But of course the prosecution could not use that to convict him.
Although there was a taped phonecall of Jennifer complaining about Paul, there was also a tape of Jennifer talking about how she was sexually abused by her own father. Maybe that's why Paul called Jim Schipsi a monster at his sentencing trial?  But of course the prosecution could not use that to convict him.

What remained was circumstancial evidence. So called heated text messages exchanged between Paul and Jennifer was supposed to show Paul was emotionally and physical abusive towards Jennifer. I say so called, because Jennifer was the one ranting on and on and Paul was just trying to calm her down. But even if he did,  who hasn't sent an angry text message to a girlfriend before? Better think again. A few heated text messages could get you convicted.

On October 29 Paul Zumot was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of Jennifer Schipsi and an additional 8 years for arson. He didn't receive life without parole, but still it is 33 years too long because he did not do the crime. At his sentencing Paul spoke out.

To the judge: " You are corrupt. You always sided with the DA and you abused your power."
To Sunseri: "Shame on you. How do you sleep at night? You know you framed me. I am an innocent man!"
To Maloney: "You all are liars, corrupt. I am innocent. I did not commit any crime. The truth will come out and I will be free."

Of course prosecutor Chuck Gillingham twisted Paul's outburst to his own advantage:

"That was a unique experience, but I'm not altogether surprised that he would react that way. That was all gamesmanship-to have him be in charge. But he didn't have the control, the judge did."

Paul's outburst was what it was; An innocent man crying out for justice.
Justice hasn't been served. The fight continues.

www.paulzumot.com