Prof. Bright speaks with William Neal Moore, who spent over 16 years on Georgia’s death row and came within hours of execution. Moore’s is not an innocence case—he pleaded guilty to the crime, a murder committed during a burglary in 1974, and was sentenced to death. Eight dates were set for his execution and he came within seven hours of execution in 1984 before a court granted a stay. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1990. Despite having been condemned to death, he was paroled the following year and has been a productive member of society ever since. Moore describes his case, including the legal representation he received, and his time on death row. Moore describes his relationships with guards, and the feeling of watching his friends being executed one by one, knowing he himself was close to execution. Moore also describes how he sought forgiveness and developed a relationship with his victim’s family, and touches on his life since release. The discussion offers an in-depth look at the human face of the death penalty, as we hear the voice of a man who was condemned to death by Georgia.
Readings:
Case Study: William Neal Moore (PDF)
Recommended Reading:
- Erwin James, “Dead Man Talking,” The Guardian, April 22, 2008
- William Neal Moore, I Shall Not Die book
Interview of William Neal Moore: