Letter 1 - 6 June 2000

Thank-you for such an interesting introductory letter, I hope that things are well for you and Dave and believe it or not, it seems that we have been corresponding for a while. Its probably because there isn't difference in the way that I use my English, and the way you use your English, so I'm only going to assume that there is there is something different with your friend in Bos, Mass (English). You use English as though you are an American, I won't say a Texan.

Before I get into (me) I must say that right off I like you for several reasons. 1. You appear to be down to earth, and you don't waste time getting to the point. I think its because older people tend to mask things and won't say that they really mean without thinking that they're hurting someone's feelings, so I appreciate this opportunity very much. Now, I'm, 36, no wife, no children, born in Dallas, Texas, raised there too. I have also been in a few positions that allowed me to try and help people. My last job, I was manager at an agency that found poor people jobs. I would often give them rides and several months before this mess, I was promoted to manager in collections and I had a chance to help people set up payment plans. I've often worked on odd jobs, I had my own home and vehicle, if I wasn't working, then I would usually have a nephew or two with me somewhere, having fun getting bent. I love to read, in college I had a few semesters of art, psychology and sociology, I took and competed an air-conditioning trade. (I'm into philosophy too). I have my days when I'm feeling very philosophical and will try to explain everything to the letter.

My mother raised us, a single parent and yes we were poor. I have 2 bro's, 4 sisters. I don't write them, they don't write me. Anyway, I enjoy different kinds of music and I still one day plan to travel the globe. I'm very considerate and a good listener. I hate poverty and I detest men that don't take care of their children and I'll do anything to help them. "That's another letter".

A typical day "that's cool" how you put it. My day begins like this - At 3am, breakfast - dog food, 10.30 am lunch - dog food, 3.30 pm supper - dog food, In between these hours I'm pacing the floor, I read over things that have been read over and over, I listen to people screaming 'whatever'! I hear the loud crying at nights. I'm in the cell basically 24 hours, there is a little area for recreation an hour if you desire it, but it's just like being in the cell so I don't go out. At the moment I feel okay because I received a letter from you today, but deep inside I feel anger because it shouldn't be that the only people who seem to care about me is people overseas and I've done nothing to anyone to make people simply give up on me, even the churches I attended! So no, I don't have any support, my friends turned on me 2 weeks after I was in jail. My ex-girl of 4 years had another man about 2 months after, and I've caught nothing but hell trying to keep it from my daily thoughts.

"Treatment" at the present. We are on lockdown status, and as usual, if you don't have food and snacks, coffee etc from the Commissary then you starve. They feed us pancakes with nasty syrup and peanut butter; this is made into a sandwich, placed in a sack, smashed and then brought to you 3 times a day. To make matter worse, I had been complaining about there not being a chaplain here for death row because on the other unit (Ellis), the chaplain's would see to it that us indigent people had things for our personal needs. Anyway, Friday the 9th, a chaplain was on his way back here, but was stopping and being friendly and some fool cut the man's arm down to the bone, so we may be on lockdown for a while. When I heard of it I felt nothing but sorrow, I don't belong here and I don't want to be here. We don't come in contact with other inmates period! I don't see anyone and if I want to talk to someone I must shout like I'm crazy so they'll hear me over the other shouts. So to sum most of it up, simply said, I'm doing everything I can to maintain the little sanity that I do have, and believe me its H-A-R-D! I've only been on death row now a little over a year, so we're both starting off pretty fresh, so I'm putting it all out there - I don't have a radio, headphones, any 'books' NEW, I don't get any magazines or Anything. So whenever you write, your letters will be sincerely appreciated, and that comes from the heart.

I'm sorry but I don't have any pictures of me, but maybe someday someone will send some of me and I'll send you a few I had so many! And you can call me Anthony if you want to. Now, before I close, please flip page - surprise waiting over…..

I must tell you this so we won't get into trouble. If you want me to have stationery - newspaper, books, it must come from the company or a notable company. Things can be ordered over the internet like Amazon.com, writing pads, envelopes and typing paper is usually ordered through officedepot.com or by calling 1-888-go-depot. If you want to send money send money orders to (address) and it's known already that its sometime hard exchanging currency for US currency, especially finding International money orders. You do have a jump on what will be suggested anyway. the best thing would be to send the money to your friend in Bos, Mass and ask her to send it on your behalf. Then when you write me you can let me know that its on the way - 'we aren't given receipts' so knowing to expect something helps in preparing the order. Well I guess that should do it for now, and I'm eagerly awaiting your reply, let me know what you think about everything. Say hello to Dave for me.

Until next time, Anthony.

PS I raised a cat from a kitten. His name was Bo. He was poisoned by a neighbour, that was about 10 years ago.

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