Executioner's Song, The - Norman Mailer [228]
They said it was "in the best interest" of the defendant.
That story produced numerous phone calls for Earl Dorius. The press kept asking what position the Attorney General's office intended to take on Gilmore. Dorius replied that Snyder and Esplin could try to file an appeal without their client's consent, but he thought they would lack standing.
Earl had the feeling "standing" was soon going to be a big legal word in the office. Even if Snyder and Esplin moved off the case, he figured other groups-whether Gilmore wanted it or not-would soon try to appeal. Then, standing-one's right to take a case to Court-was going to be very important.
November 4
Hi Baby.
Today when I was going to talk to Fagan about extra visits, this dude who was dressed sorta like a girl called to me from one of the other sections as I passed by . . . this cat's on Max for beating the shit out of a guard lieutenant. I guess he's a man in most respects, a solid convict from all I hear about him, but also a sissy, queen, or whatever you wanta call 'em. Tonite at chow he sent over this little note I'm enclosing for you to read-That you might get a kick outa it.
Hi, Gil, I have been reading about you in the paper and I must say that you are an exception to all rules. People just don't know what to think of you, hell they just don't know us Texans, do they, for we can handle anything in this fucking world, huh.
I made the remark this morning, that I was wanting to talk to you, to see what made you tick!
Sugar, don't pay any attention to some of the shit that I come off with, for you know how a dizzy bitch is.
What do you do over there all the time besides a lot of thinking? I guess that I shouldn't be asking you a lot of old foolish questions, but you know how a whore is, always wanting something!
Under it, Gary wrote:
Hey Baby Nicole don't go getting any kind of jealous feelings now!
Jimmy Carter is the new Pres. Ain't that somethin! I didn't believe Ford could lose I think it's only the second time in history of the entire universe that an incumbent president lost an election.
DESERET NEWS
Nov. 5-Utah officials of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the NAACP said they will try to have their attorneys assist in the appeal process.
ACLU spokesman Shirley Pedler said, "Our stance is that the state does not have the right to take his life regardless of his choices or decisions."
November 5
I met an Indian today who I've known for years. His name's Chief Bolton. He was a guard in the Oregon joint when I knew him several years ago. He's a great big fucker. 300 pounds or so, a purty good man, even if he is a guard, and.. he told me he can easily understand my feelings-Indians understand death more easily than white people I think.
I also got a letter from a Dennis Boaz in Salt Lake. He's a former lawyer from California. He seems to fully understand my situation and feels I have the right to make the ultimate decision without interference from any legal source. This guy Boaz is now a freelance writer and wants to do an article for national publication. He said he would split any money he receives for his story with anyone I choose.
Well I reject that outright . . . I simply refuse to capitalize on this in any way . . . This is a personal thing, it is my life Nicole. I can't help getting some publicity but I'm not looking for any.
Warden Smith asked me today what I might like for a last meal.
I always thot that was somethin they just did in the movies. I told him I don't know but I would like a couple cans of Coors, he said he didn't know about that-but maybe . . .
Actually, Barrett felt helpless. It was all so incongruous. His job was to see that the man got executed, so they were working on the same side, yet they weren't.
Some bug caught up with Earl, and he had to stay home from work.
It was the same day, November 5, that Gilmore phoned the office! In the evening, Earl watched a couple of newscasts where Bill Barrett, his associate-no relation