The Guys Left Behind – Red Letter Christians
I’ve been visiting Tennessee’s death row for over twelve years. During that time, sixteen men have died—eight by natural causes and eight by execution. I knew them all. Some I knew better than others, but all were friends. Pastor Kevin Burns has lived on Tennessee’s death row since November 1995. During that time, he has lost fourteen friends through execution, twenty-one friends through natural causes, and one friend by suicide. The trauma of so many deaths in such a short period of time cannot be overstated.
Recently the State of Tennessee resumed executions after a five-year hiatus. Oscar Frank Smith was killed by lethal injection on Thursday, May 22nd or the 1989 murders of his estranged wife, Judy Robirds Smith, and her teenaged sons, Chad and Jason Burnett. Unless the governor or the courts intervene, the next execution is scheduled for August 5th, with a third execution on December 11th.
Most of the guys on Tennessee’s death row have been there for decades. For many of the men, arriving on the row meant joining more than one hundred fellow inmates. Now there are only forty-four men incarcerated in Unit Two at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, otherwise known as Tennessee’s death row. (1) Since 1995 more men have exited Tennessee’s death row through a reduction of their sentences then through natural death or execution. Still, for many of the men, the path off death row is through either execution or natural causes. (2)
After the last execution, I started wondering how the ritual of the death penalty affected the guys who were left behind. How did they handle watching another friend, bound by chains, being led to the death chamber? How do they move forward after an execution? So, on Friday, May 23rd, one day after execution, I returned to death row. With Pastor Kevin Burns’ help, I talked with several of the guys about how they lived surrounded by so much death. Here are some of the things they told me.
- “It’s really sad that society has not gotten beyond revenge, and that’s all it is, revenge. The whole thing has become a huge spectacle.” (Donald).
- “People don’t understand the whole process. We are all the same but are not seen as the same. We are seen as less-than. But we are not less-than! We are all a part of the divine Spirit. They think they are hurting us by executing us. But in reality, it is a disservice to yourself and to society when you do this. Execution is an attack on the image of God in each of us” (Andre).
- “If you don’t get off death row, you will die on death row. But, if you kill a killer, what are you?” (Batman)
- “If I jump over the fence to steal your car and then you jump over the fence and steal my car, are we both not car thieves?” (Donald).
- “The system does not work. There is nothing we can do about it, and so we have to accept it” (John).
- “How do I move on? I don’t move on. I can’t move on. Death is not the end. It is a transition. They can only kill the body. They cannot kill the spirit. I try to remember the person and my relationship with them. I carry them with me in my heart” (Andre).
- “Everyone deals with it differently. I pray for them, and then I let go. I can’t worry about it. There is no peaceful way to die” (‘Lijah).
- “I believe, at the moment of execution, there is a final awakening that will shock the hell out of you if you are not ready for it. Moving forward is a gift. I can shut it out and push it to the side, but I can’t forget it” (“Lijah).
- “On the state’s part, it is not revenge. They don’t know anyone involved—the victim nor the perpetrator. So, it can’t be revenge. This is all political. We are just stepping stones for politicians to get to the next level” (‘Lijah).
- “I don’t like it. It takes a lot out of you. Deep down, the state knows it ain’t right” (Bryan).
(1) Tennessee has one woman on death row. She is isolated at the Deborah K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville.
(2) Since Pastor Kevin Burns has lived in Unit Two, forty-five men have had their sentenced reduced, twenty-one have died of natural causes, one died by suicide, and fourteen have been executed. During that same period, twenty-men have joined Pastor Burns on Unit Two.
All the following words below are from Pastor Kevin Burns:
Pastor Kevin Riggs has my respect and the respect of all the guys in Unit Two. They were more than willing to talk to him about this difficult situation. I was honored to help him. What each person said was not surprising to me. As a death row inmate myself, I can tell you our ability to compartmentalize is astounding. Privately, each man deals with the situation differently. But corporately, we deal with it, and move forward, through faith, friendship, and community. These guys are my brothers. We love each other. For some, our community inside these walls is the only family they have.
For me, I have a different approach to handling executions and moving forward afterwards. As the pastor on death row, as well as a fellow inmate, I spend a lot of time with the individual as his date gets closer. I encourage them to remain strong in their faith and to keep trusting God. I do my best to offer then hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Every execution is hard, but I know I am here to be a light in a very dark place.
Recently, the Lord brought to my mind the story of King David losing his son to an illness. For seven days, “David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground…and he would not eat any food” (2 Samuel 12:16-17).
Surprisingly, after his son died, David, “got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His attendants asked him, ‘Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!’ He answered, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me’” (2 Samuel 12:20-23).
The time leading up to an execution can be discouraging and sad. But for me, that time should be spent in prayer and fasting and letting people know how much you love them. But after the execution, it is time to get up and wash your face and worship God, confident in the hope I will see that person again. It is through my faith that God has protected my heart so I can move forward and continue my purpose for being in this place. When bad news comes my way, I feel the hand of God on my chest protecting my vulnerability. I know I must keep trusting in Him. During these times, God steadies me and reminds me to stay focused and faithful to what He has called me to do. God reassures me that my work here is not finished. Furthermore, I know the Holy Spirit is my Counselor. That is how I deal with Tennessee’s killing machine. I also find strength in Paul’s words, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
One last thing: People need to know we on the inside always pray for the families of the victims. We know the whole execution process does nothing but add hurt on top of hurt. The death penalty does not bring justice. It does not bring healing. It does not bring closure. Only Jesus can do that!
About the Authors:
Pastor Kevin Burns has lived on Tennessee’s death row since November of 1995. While incarcerated, Pastor Burns has been a model inmate and has gained the respect of fellow inmates, guards, and prison administrators. Since 2015, he has served on Tennessee’s death row as the “Chaplain’s Assistant.” On January 29, 2018, inside Riverbend Maximum Security Institution’s death row, Pastor Burns was ordained into the gospel ministry by Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs and Franklin Community Church.
Pastor Kevin Riggs has been the Senior Pastor of Franklin Community Church for more than thirty years (www.franklincommunitychurch.org). He is also the founder and Executive Director of Franklin Community Development (www.franklincommunitydevelopment.com) and Williamson County Homeless Alliance (www.wilcohomeless.com)
Pastor Burns and Pastor Riggs have co-authored a book about Pastor Burn’s story and their relationship. The book is titled, Today. The Best Day of My Life. The book can be purchased at www.fojworldwide.com.
