Anthony Graves speaks to News With Attitude
Anthony Graves, 49, was wrongfully convicted at age 26 for the murder of a family of six. He spent 18 years in prison, 16 of them on death row with two execution dates.
Even after spending 6,640 days behinds bars, witnessed 350 inmates die, Graves still to this day holds no regrets and describes his journey as having faith in something bigger than yourself, even through dark times.
“It stopped being about me when I was convicted, it started being more about the criminal justice system and it’s flaws,” Graves said.
“How do you forgive is not a process. You have to be believe in something greater than yourself and it allows you get through those moments of tragedy.”
He explained that his relationship with God, allowed him to forgive those who wrongfully convicted him. He learned through his process not only would he forgive those, but allowing peace in his heart as he stated, “God. I knew would only forgive me if I forgive those who are against me.”
In the beginning of his process, he believed that being naive to his situation is what he kept him behind bars.
“Anytime you are actually innocent, you just don’t think that a system can convict you number one. But then also, murder you number two.”
He takes a peep down memory lane, as he expressed being taught in school “I was told that my criminal justice system in America was the greatest system of all. That’s what we’re taught.”
His naivety caused him to believe in the greatest system, even after being convicted. Only to discover, in fact it is not the greatest system, then he would’ve been murdered as an innocent man after being on a death row.
Now as a serving board member of the Houston Forensic Science Center, he oversees helping officers analyze fire arms, fingerprints, crime scenes and computer data.
“I’ve seen more of an awareness. The wrongful convictions have always been taken place. Social media is making people more vigilant about what’s happening in our criminal justice system,” he said.
He spoke regarding the African American community, and other communities to get involved, “We have to get involved. We can not cheer on the sidelines anymore for people to do the work for us.”
During election season, racial intolerance has been at an all time high with candidates like Donald Trump, who expressed his dislike for Mexicans and Muslims.
“We have made great strides, but…I think we also get stuck…we get stuck thinking that we’ve come far enough,” he said.
Graves believes the only way to promoting positive change, is by getting involved in our system, exercising voter rights, and being well-informed about potentials candidates.
Want more background about the riveting story of Anthony Graves? See the documentary below. It will make you think twice about the justice system.
