9 February 2010
Working on death row: David R Dow
David Dow
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In the state of Texas, there are around 350 people on death row, overwhelmingly men, mainly black and Hispanic. More than a third of all executions in the United States have been carried out in Texas.
Professor David R Dow represents some of these men, he's done this work for 20 years. It's difficult, often soul destroying work, with few successes.
In a new memoir, he talks about his work representing clients on death row. He strongly believes they've been short changed by the legal system, which he says is often corrupt and incompetent.
He also talks about his 'pillars', his family who provide love and moral support in the face of a daunting workload, and daily encounters with life and death.
Guests
Professor David R Dow
University of Houston Law Centre, founder the Texas Innocence project and litigation director at the Texas Defender Service
Further Information
University of Houston Law Centre
Publications
Title: Killing Time: one man's race to stop an execution
Author: David R. Dow
Publisher: Random House 2010
Presenter
Richard Aedy
Producer
Jackie May
Story Researcher and Producer
Amanda Armstrong
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