Karla.

An evil act of violence. An unforgivable crime. A guilt free killer. These words easily describe Karla Faye Tucker. In 1983, Tucker and her boyfriend hacked two people to death with a pickax during a break in. Both influenced by drugs, broke in to steal a motorcycle and killed the owner and a woman with him. The couple walked free for about a month until a close friend turned them into the police. Karla went on trial and became the first woman sentenced to death in Texas since the Civil War.

Six weeks before her execution date, Tucker had an interview with Larry King from CNN. After nearly fifteen years in prison, Karla talks about turning around her life, a life with Christ. accepting the the obscenity of her crimes, trying to move on, her remorse, her guilt, and how God helps her through it.

Yet Karla was still put to death. Is it fair that she turned her life around but was still punished? What if other criminals on death row could make the same transformation? What if they don't have time before they're executed? Do they really learn from their crime? Tucker said in the interview, "Jesus has gone down into their hearts and completely changed them, and they have become caring people. They have changed. They're now helping others" (Tucker).

The death penalty isn't justice. Death penalty is killing. It's murder. It's an eye for an eye. Revenge. We are a country founded on justice. A country who believes that every human life is precious. A country that believes in forgiveness and second chances. Death penalty denies this.


Tucker, Karla. CNN, 21 March 2007. Intervew by Larry
King. 1988. Print. 24 Feb 2011.