Life Beyond Death Row

Highlights from my journey.

Early Memories

April 1956 - August 1977

Doyle Wayne and I visiting Jacksonville, TX from Germany
Doyle Wayne and I visiting Jacksonville, TX from Germany
Me and Doyle Wayne on our front steps
Me and Doyle Wayne on our front steps
Doyle Wayne teaching me to take up for myself
Doyle Wayne teaching me to take up for myself
Mom in Jacksonville
Mom in Jacksonville
Dad in S.H.A.P.E. Belgium
Dad in S.H.A.P.E. Belgium
My Daddy as Sgt. Cook in Kaiserslauterm, Germany
My Daddy as Sgt. Cook in Kaiserslauterm, Germany
Doyle Wayne as a School Crossing Guard at Medows Elementary school, Ft. Hood, TX
Doyle Wayne as a School Crossing Guard at Medows Elementary school, Ft. Hood, TX
My school photo from K-Town in Germany
My school photo from K-Town in Germany
Me in my teen years
Me in my teen years
Me before my arrest in early June of 1977
Me before my arrest in early June of 1977

Prisoner

August 1977 - November 1997

The night of my arrest August 5, 1977, working as a bar tender in Port Arthur, TX.
The night of my arrest August 5, 1977, working as a bar tender in Port Arthur, TX.
My mugshot photo at the Smith County Jail after my arrest, August 1977.
My mugshot photo at the Smith County Jail after my arrest, August 1977.
Picture of me in my cell on death row, 1979.
Picture of me in my cell on death row, 1979.
Death row reader board showing my cell locked down due to an assault against me.
Death row reader board showing my cell locked down due to an assault against me.
Death row visitation room
Death row visitation room
Doctor at my cell on death row.
Doctor at my cell on death row.
Playing dominoes from a single-man cell.
Playing dominoes from a single-man cell.
J-23 Chow Cart
J-23 Chow Cart
Ellis Unit Hallway
Ellis Unit Hallway
Ellis unit trustee Grigsby sliding food tray into cell.
Ellis unit trustee Grigsby sliding food tray into cell.
Kenneth "KB" Brock
Kenneth "KB" Brock
Billy Hughes
Billy Hughes
Doyle "Skeet" Skillern
Doyle "Skeet" Skillern
John Fearence
John Fearence
Me in my cell.
Me in my cell.
Me receiving my GED diploma.
Me receiving my GED diploma.
J-21 death row recreation yard
J-21 death row recreation yard
Me in death row visitation cage.
Me in death row visitation cage.
Ronald Clark O'Bryan ("The Candy Man") & Raymond Riles ("King Moto")
Ronald Clark O'Bryan ("The Candy Man") & Raymond Riles ("King Moto")
Picking up the trays on death row
Picking up the trays on death row
One row at night on J-23
One row at night on J-23
Fred Durrough
Fred Durrough

Out But Not Free

August 1977 - June 2024

Released on bond November 11th, 1997, my mama meets me at the jail.
Released on bond November 11th, 1997, my mama meets me at the jail.
Me with Jim McCloskey and Paul Nugent during my release.
Me with Jim McCloskey and Paul Nugent during my release.

Freedom

June 2024 - Present

Me and my son KJ, after Bookfest in Cedar Hill, TX.
Me and my son KJ, after Bookfest in Cedar Hill, TX.
KJ with Mom after Halloween.
KJ with Mom after Halloween.
Former trial attorney and friend Paul Nugent brings the <i>Texas Court of Criminal Appeals'</i> majority opinion finding me "Actually Innocent" to my hospital room.
Former trial attorney and friend Paul Nugent brings the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' majority opinion finding me "Actually Innocent" to my hospital room.

“I had the privilege of reprising Kerry’s role in the New York, off-Broadway play, ‘The Exonerated.’ His soulful message of hope and never giving up is awe-inspiring, entertaining, and impossible to forget. Much to learn from this man.”

-Fisher Stevens

Actor, Director, and Academy Award-winning Producer for "The Cove"