Death Row Stories

In this powerful episode, we begin uncovering the extraordinary life of Anthony Graves, a man who faced unimaginable circumstances after being falsely accused. Arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, Anthony's journey through the justice system will leave you speechless. Anthony is the author of Infinite Hope, a memoir that delves into his harrowing experience. In this first part of his story, we s...

What drives someone to witness over 400 executions? In this ninth episode of Death Row Stories , meet Gloria Rubac, a retired teacher who has spent decades outside the Huntsville Unit on execution days, vocally opposing the practice when lethal injections are carried out. She has become a determined and unwavering figure in one of the world’s most controversial practices. What compels her to retur...

In this unforgettable finale of Pamela Perillo’s story, she opens up about the harrowing reality of life on Death Row. From the looming shadow of execution to the resilience it took to survive, Pamela shares raw, emotional moments that will leave you speechless. What does it feel like to be days away from death? How did she find hope in the darkest of times? This is not just a story of survival—it...

Harris County, Texas, known as the Death Penalty Capital of the World, just elected a new District Attorney. With Sean Teare taking office, questions arise: Will this shift bring any change to the county’s long-standing approach to capital punishment? In this episode of Death Row Stories, I uncover what Sean Teare has said about the death penalty, explore the impact of Harris County’s DA on its im...

A shocking crime. A divided community. Two churches at odds. This episode delves into the complex case of Steven Nelson, whose death penalty trial became a battleground for fairness, justice, and love. With his execution scheduled for February 5, 2025, this case has resurfaced as a pivotal moment to discuss the death penalty, its impact, and the questions it raises. Filmed in Arlington, Texas—wher...

In this gripping sixth episode, filmed live at the Texas Tribune Festival, we dive deep into the harrowing journey of Kerry Max Cook, a man who spent two decades on Texas Death Row, relentlessly fighting to prove his innocence. Wrongfully convicted at just 21, Kerry endured decades of trauma, brutality, and heartbreak, all while battling a system determined to label him a killer. Recently declared...

In Part 4 of our in-depth interview with Pamela Perillo, we delve further into the harrowing realities of life on death row and the moral challenges Pamela faced. After being sentenced to death for her role in two murders, Pamela recounts emotional exchanges with the victims' families, moments of forgiveness, and the heavy toll it took on her soul. This episode explores her refusal to save herself...

Howdy! Isn’t the death penalty the ultimate symbol of Texan strength and justice? Some conservatives are starting to think differently. In this episode, Nan Tolson, a lifelong Texan and director of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, explains why she and others from her conservative community are questioning the death penalty. Grounded in pro-life values and a commitment to fiscal res...

In this gripping third part of Episode 4 of Death Row Stories, we follow Pamela Perillo as her life spirals in unexpected ways. After fleeing California, she finds herself in Houston, where events take a dark and dangerous turn. This episode captures her shocking confessions, intense psychological struggles, and the critical moments that follow. Pamela’s raw and emotional journey will keep you on...

In the fourth episode of Death Row Stories, Pamela Perillo recounts her tumultuous journey from Southern California to Texas. After a difficult youth in Linwood, California, marred by abuse and addiction (as covered in Part 1), Pamela continues her raw and heartfelt storytelling, revealing the struggles that led her from Compton—one of California’s toughest neighborhoods—to the streets of Houston....

In this  first part  of the 4th episode of  Death Row Stories , we begin an emotional and gripping journey with Pamela Perillo, a woman whose life has been marked by unimaginable hardships, including severe abuse and addiction. From a tumultuous childhood to life-changing events, Pamela’s story, as shared in  Salvation on Death Row , gives us a raw and inspiring glimpse into survival and resilienc...

Join acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on September 7, 2024, as he uncovers the devastating reality of Texas prisons. Linklater's personal involvement in a groundbreaking lawsuit against the 'baking' of prisoners’ organs in un-air-conditioned cells is revealed. Learn how a chance visit to his friend Bernie, from his 2011 movie, led to this pivotal legal...

As the state of Texas prepared to execute Ramiro Gonzales on June 26, 2024, we took a journey to Huntsville to explore who gathers outside the prison walls during these moments—and why. In this episode of Death Row Stories , we bring you the voices of those who stood outside the Texas State Penitentiary that night. From members of the Texas Abolition Against the Death Penalty to religious leaders...

Join me in Houston as I interview Estelle Hebron-Jones from the Texas Defender Service, a leading organization in the fight to end the death penalty since 1995. In this insightful discussion, we delve into Estelle's 2024 report, "Arbitrary and Capricious: Examining Racial Disparities in Harris County's Pursuit of Death Sentences" which examines the racial disparities in death sen...

Join me in Houston as I interview Estelle Hebron-Jones from the Texas Defender Service, a leading organization in the fight to end the death penalty since 1995. In this insightful discussion, we delve into Estelle's 2024 report, "Arbitrary and Capricious: Examining Racial Disparities in Harris County's Pursuit of Death Sentences" which examines the racial disparities in death sentences in Harris C...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of my podcast and YouTube channel! I'm François Picard, a journalist and documentary director with over 20 years of experience filming stories around the world for various news media. Throughout my career, I have covered many significant events, but the most impactful reports were those I produced about death row in the US. In this channel, I aim to inform and shed...