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Interviews
with the Condemned
Interview no.21 (2006-10-04)
Let's continue with interview 21. Below you will find the interview with Kevin D. Pelzer. Kevin has been on Pennsylvania's row for the condemned over 20 years. We like to thank Kevin for his trust and participation in Death Row Speaks. Please click here to read Kevin's profile.
Personality: Name:
Kevin D.
Pelzer #BC-9251
1: Question:
Where were you born and raised? Answer: I was born in Philadelphia Penna.
2: Question: Will you share with us what it was like for you growing up? (Did you have a pet, a favorite game, hiding place, or favorite toy? Were you raised by both parents, a single parent or relative?) Answer:
3: Question:
Do you have a favorite childhood memory? If so, what is it? Answer: I would have to say that, the best childhood memory that I have is one in the same as what I miss most now! That is being with my family. It is not anything in this world like being in a house full of family for a 'get-to-gether'. When our family got together it was just like that movie "Soul Food."
4: Question:
Did you like school? If so, share with us your favorite memory from your
school years. Answer: The only thing I liked about school was sports. Because of my dyslexia I always got into trouble. But sports, this was the only thing that I loved about school.
5: Question:
What person or event impacted you most as a child? Answer: It would have to be my Grandmother. She was some-kind of special. Once when I was little, I went to a funeral with Nanny and every one was crying and 'carrying on' but Nanny and I. I turned to her and asked why was this and she told me the most profound thing I have ever heard in my life! She told me, "the reason that all the other people was making a fool of themselves was all them folks had did the dead wrong when they was alive and now the time has run out to make right with the "departed." Even at a young age I understood this --- and never do I find myself 'making a fool' of myself when a beloved pass.
6: Question:
What hobbies or activities did you participate in while growing up, e.g.
scouting, sports, etc. Answer: it was not to many sports that I did not play as a child. Back in the 'hood' you play what is at hand. And if it was nothing to play we made up a game/sport.
7: Question:
What was your first job? Please describe your duties/responsibilities
and whether or not you liked the job. Answer: I have never worked at a job that I did not love. My first job was lawn care for my neighbors. That and snow removal. When I think back today on how much money I was making from just cutting grass and removing snow it is mind blowing. In the summer I prayed the grass would grow fast and long. And in the winter I prayed that it snowed so hard that school would have to close down and I could go make money removing snow from walk way all day. Most of the money that I made, I gave to my Mom who told me that she would 'put it up' for me. I wonder as I answer this question, if or not she still has the money I gave her 'put up for me'? If she do, I am really-really rich and don't even know it.
8: Question:
As a child or teenager, what did you want to do when you grew up? Why? Answer: I always wanted to drive big trucks. I don't know!, I still hold on to that childhood dream. What is more beautiful the the open road?
9: Question: Do you have a favorite movie or book? Please elaborate. Answer: It would be hard for me to name one book or movie that I love most. In the last 15 years I have read thousands of books. Mostly 'romance' a time or two I have been know to read three books in one day cover to cover. I would also like to point out that I love a good book over a good movie.
10: Question:
Where was the most beautiful or special place that you can remember
having visited? Please describe it. Answer: The birth of my first child. having your first child changes a man if he allow himself to see the true beauty.
11: Question: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you? Answer:
Seeing my mom change a flat tire at road side, on her car, dressed in
her Sunday best. It was both funny and beautiful.
12: Question:
What job or occupation did you have prior to your incarceration? Were
you employed at the time of your arrest? Answer: Yes. I was working as a car mechanic and I had a partnership in cleaning office buildings in down town Philadelphia.
13: Question:
Were you involved with drugs or alcohol prior to your incarceration? If
so, please share the effects this had on your life. Answer: I would call myself a weekend party person. I did like to get together with friends and have a little party on friday nights. I think most black folks party at this time, it's like saying, 'I made it yet another week'. I didn't like to go to parties at clubs. Just get together at home. It was my way of thinking that you was always safe at home and it was nothing but trouble at the clubs.
14: Question: What do you miss most about the outside world and why? Answer: Being that came her at such a young age, it is so much that I miss. I miss being hugged by my mom. Seeing a child take it's first step. I have been in a single cell alone living DEATH. I don't even know how to place a call using a cell-phone. Let alone log on to a computer.
15: Question: What is the one thing you regret most? Answer: Believing in true justice.
16: Question:
Do
you have any strong spiritual or religious beliefs? If so do they
influence how you view the future? Answer:
17: Question: How important is it for you to have contact with your family, friends and/or the outside world? Please elaborate. Answer:
18: Question:
Do you remember your first thoughts
when hearing the jury’s verdict of death as your sentence? Will you
share this experience with us, e.g. your thoughts, feelings, reactions? Answer: I wanted to cry --- but I did not. In my heart I knew what I did and did not do. So I stood strong and tall knowing that one day I would overturn the sentence of death.
19: Question:
What is a typical day like for you on
death row? Answer: I live everyday waiting for mid evening when mail is delivered. Hoping and praying that someone will send me a life line... to make them summer flowers bloom in the heart of winter that is this DEATH.
20: Question:
Do you feel that capital punishment
serves as a deterrent? Yes/No Please elaborate on your answer. Answer: Most poor balck men don't even fully understand what capital punishment is? Now how crazy is that. I have talked to many that ask questions like, "so this mean you are going to be killed?" if one do not fully understand 'capital punishment'how can it be a deterrent (thought) in ones mind before going out and doing a crime? Plus! Now this is a big plus. On Death Row here it is over 200 inmates sentence to die. Not one of them is rich. Any one with the money to pay for a good lawyer does not end up here on the row.
21: Question:
If you could change one thing in the
world today, what would it be and why? Answer: Foolish young poor black kids doing foolish black-on-black crimes then standing before a judge too foolish to defend his/her foolishness.
22: Question:
If you could go back in time, where
and to what date would you travel and why? Answer: I would love to go back to when I was a baby asleep on my Momma's breast. Sleep and dreaming that the world was safe, warm and beautiful.
23: Question:
What has been the most important and
life-altering event you have experienced? Answer: I was ran over by a truck when I was little and believed that I was going to die. It changed my life. Also when I taught myself to read and write right here in this Death Row cell. Who knew the power of words?
24: Question:
What is the most important thing that
you want our visitors to know about you? Answer:
That
if you live in the U.S.A. and your not of the rich, that you too can be
just one step away fromthis here hell. Here in this hell believing in
the power and love of mail-call sometimes even more then you do in God.
25: Question:
If you have anything else that you
would like included as a part of this interview, please share it with us
now. Answer: -
Back
to interview introduction page. Webmaster’s note: I have tried to type the typed answers as complete and correct as possible. There is always a possibility that a typo or so slips in. Please send an e-mail when you come across them. Thank you!
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