Lockdown

COVID-19 has been unimaginable for so many of us. Unspeakable grief, loss, and separation. Except for key workers, we have all been confined to our homes many of us isolated without access to the outdoors with the command to “stay home, protect the NHS and save lives”.

But consider being under lockdown in an even smaller space, possibly the size of your bathroom, alone, for twenty-three hours a day. And with the only thing to look forward to after an indeterminate period is death.

This is the fate awaiting many on death row in America.

But the prisoner has been through the court system and found guilty.

"Killing the Innocent: The Death Penalty and Miscarriages of Justice", by Dr. Bharat Malkani, Law School, the University of Birmingham (now a senior lecturer at Cardiff University).

Consider the case of James Beathard in Texas. Beathard’s sentence hinged on the court testimony of one man who later publicly recanted. But under a bizarre law in Texas, no new evidence is allowed in death penalty cases after 30 days. So, another innocent man went to his death.

To represent those paying for their alleged actions with their lives requires a unique blend of passion and skill. And so I have set up a page for someone with those qualities who will gain her qualifications and fairly represent those on Death Row.

Sarah Lily Brunsdon

No one could accuse Sarah of being born into privilege. Coming from an unhappy home is sadly not unusual these days. But going on to achieve excellent GCSE and ”A” levels whilst “sofa surfing”, living in multiple foster situations and finally being institutionalized as a result of sexual exploitation is remarkable.

Battling homelessness in Liverpool and against all the odds, Sarah gained a place to study English at the University of Liverpool. Despite being a victim of domestic abuse, Sarah went on to read for a Master’s degree in social policy graduating in 2019, and obtaining work at a non-profit organization where she advises on rehousing the homeless. Working as she does with the socially excluded, offenders and the vulnerable became the catalyst for Sarah’s passion for the law. Sarah is convinced that her background of social abuse and institutionalized living provides her with an insight into the world of the underdog.

In 2020 Sarah joined LifeLines, the charity that supports and befriends prisoners on America’s Death Row through writing letters. Sarah now has two friends on the Row with whom she corresponds regularly. Sarah had found the focus for her energy and commitment. With Clive Stafford Smith’s advice, the leading human rights lawyer, Sarah decided to pursue her qualifications in law to help those imprisoned on Death Row.

What can I do to help those on Death Row?

One way is by ensuring that the prisoner gets fair representation in court. Help me sponsor Sarah Lily Brunsdon, whom I have never met but whose integrity and singularity of purpose - wanting to fight for those seeking justice - has impressed me.

Sarah needs to take an LLM degree and sit the bar examination in America. This LLM degree will attract funding through loans or scholarships. But Sarah will find the first step difficult because taking the preliminary SQE essentials preparation course offers no access to funding.

Sarah's path will not be an easy one as the University of Law's preparation course fees alone cost £3500. To pay her rent and live, Sarah will have to continue to work full-time. But if everybody reading this crowdfunding page who is able to can donate just £5 to Sarah’s fund, it will go directly into paying her course fees.

(If you would like to subscribe to an occasional update on Sarah’s progress, please contact me with your email address.)