This is the first in a series of podcasts exploring issues surrounding murder and the death penalty in Texas, including legal issues and the personal stories of individuals who have had experiences with the criminal justice system. In this podcast, we get a snapshot of the experience of watching an execution from eight individuals, most of whom witnessed a single execution, and one, former Warden Jim Willett, who witnessed nearly ninety. We hear about the last visits, final phone calls, meals, and last minute legal appeals, followed by what happens in the execution chamber.

The Texas After Violence Project works to create a foundation for productive public dialogue on violence in Texas, especially murder and execution. We carefully listen to people affected by violence, including friends and family members of murdered and executed people, as well as police officers, first responders, prosecutors, defense attorneys, prison employees, victim and defendant advocates, and others involved in Texas’ criminal justice system. TAVP records their statements, archives them, makes them public with the narrators’ consent, and promotes conversations about the most effective, compassionate, and just ways to prevent and respond to violence.