Interviews with the Condemned

Interview no.2

The second in line who has answered our questions for the “Interviews with the Condemned” series is Richard T. Stitt. Richard is currently housed at the federal death row unit in Terre Haute and has been there for the last 7 years. Richard is 31 years old. Please take the time to read and view Richard’s (and Billie Allen’s) comic strip "Friend or Foe!” his artwork and profile. We would like to thank Richard for answering these questions and wish him well in the future.

Personality:

Name: Richard T. Stitt
Prison Register: # 50696-083
Address: United States Penitentiary, PO Box 12015, Terre Haute, IN 47801, USA
Age: 31
Race: Black
Sex: Male
How long on Death Row: 7 years

Question: Where were you born and raised?

Answer: I was born in VA and raised in Miami , Tenn. , VA and N.C. (mostly VA and Miami ).

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: I had a couple of dogs. My Grandmother raised me until I was about 7 or 8 years old. Then my mother and aunt raised me until I became an adult. I had a normal childhood. I was a spoiled kid (I guess). I got whatever I wanted most of the time.

Question: Do you have a favorite childhood memory? If so, what is it?

Answer: When I was real young… I played sports all day. And my family would come to the games and cheer me on. And how my grandmother would cook everything I wanted when I was good….

Question: Did you like school? If so, share with us your favorite memory from your school years.

Answer: School was okay. I liked high school the most… I was into the girls….. Most of my favorite memories are from dressing up every day, so that I could impress the girls. I guess like most young boys back then J

Question: What person or event impacted you most as a child?

Answer: When my grandmother died. I carried that pain for a long time.

Question: What hobbies or activities did you participate in while growing up, e.g. scouting, sports, etc.

Answer: I was a boy scout, I played football, basketball and baseball. I took up boxing that was really big in my neighborhood in the 80’s and early 90’s. Football is really big in the South… So that was the chosen sport… I played wide receive and a cornerback since I was so tall as a kid.

Question: What was your first job? Please describe your duties/responsibilities and whether or not you liked the job.

Answer: My first job was a summer job… I cleaned up around the projects (public housing). My first full time job was at Burger King. I worked there for a few months, then I quit from it. I hated working at Burger King. I was 16 then and 14 with the summer job.

Question: As a child or teenager, what did you want to do when you grew up? Why?

Answer: I wanted to play football because that’s what I grew up doing back then. I thought that I was the best player back then. I learned that it took a lot of hard work, dedication and practice.

Question: Do you have a favorite movie or book? Please elaborate.

Answer: My taste did change over the years. At this point of my life I’m more into history type movies and books. I got a thing, I guess, about learning about the past. I got really hooked on that the last few years.

10:

Question: Where was the most beautiful or special place that you can remember having visited? Please describe it.

Answer: The Bahamas was really pretty to me. The resorts were anyway. And the water is so clear, that you can see the fish and riffs in the ocean…

11:

Question: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

Answer: I was in a nightclub and this woman came up to me and cussed me out then walked away. When I asked her friend why she did it… the girl told me; “That’s your crazy wife, you should know”, She mistaken me for her husband.

12:

Question: What job or occupation did you have prior to your incarceration? Were you employed at the time of your arrest?

Answer: I was a music producer and club promoter. I did auto graphics also… That’s what I did, all the way up, until this happened to me.

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 didn’t do drugs at all and I only drank on occasions. I wasn’t into being hooked on nothing. I saw it destroy too many people in my life.

14:

Question: What do you miss most about the outside world and why?

Answer: MY FREEDOM!!! Being able to see my kids and family. Being able to hug and touch them. Being able to eat, come in and go as you please too. I miss having my life that I had before this happened to me.

15:

Question: What is the one thing you regret most?

Answer: Not spending more time with my family and kids and doing more things with them. Taking life for granted. Always thinking that I was young and had the time to do everything later when I got (in my mind) older and had settled down etc, etc.

16:

Question: Do you have any strong spiritual or religious beliefs? If so do they influence how you view the future?

Answer: I believe in God. I don’t label myself to one religion. I’m more a spiritual type and I believe that God is in control of everything and that everything is possibly through him… And that most religions tell you to be a righteous person and to live right no matter which one you choose.

17:

Question: How important is it for you to have contact with your family, friends and/or the outside world? Please elaborate.

Answer: That’s what keeps me going... That’s what makes me fight. Even when I don’t feel it. If I couldn’t have contact with them I would already feel dead. My family and kids are my world before this happened and now.

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: It felt surreal to me. My head got light, my mind shut down for a few seconds… It felt like I got hit by a sledge hammer. My legs felt like rubber bands. It took me a few minutes before I gather my thoughts and self.

19:

Question: What is a typical day like for you on death row?

Answer: It’s the same thing, everyday in here. I read, work out and watch TV I work on my case. Learning about new case laws that might help me. It’s really boring to be honest with you. That’s why it’s so important to keep your mind, body and spirit strong. That’s why exercising is important.

20:

Question: Do you feel that capital punishment serves as a deterrent? Yes/No Please elaborate on you answer.

Answer: NO! – In my opinion it doesn’t. All you have to do is just look at what’s happening in this country on daily basis. It speaks for it self.

21:

Question: If you could change one thing in the world today, what would it be and why?

Answer: I would give free medicine to people with AIDS… Because it’s wiping out Africa and other countries. I would put more money into educating them also. It’s estimated in the next 20 years, that 80 million people in Africa alone will be wiped out.

22:

Question: If you could go back in time, where and to what date would you travel and why?

Answer: I would go back to Africa and stop the slave trade before it ever happened. I would go back and stop Hitler before the holocaust ever took place. And before the Native people were wiped out in this ( U.S. ) country. In my eyes those are the three worst things to have happened to mankind. I know through our history there was allot of other stuff, but those three are the worst.

23:

Question: What has been the most important and life-altering event you have experienced?

Answer: Being in this situation. Having to fight for my life…. And seeing how easy it was to be convicted and put in here on death row.

24:

Question: What is the most important thing that you want our visitors to know about you?

Answer: That I’m a good person. I’m not an angel by no means… I’m also not the evil person that the government said I am. And that I’m innocent of the crimes that I’ve been accused and found guilty of at this time.

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: I hope I have enlighten a few people with my interview. May God bless you. Thanks for your time and concerns.

Click here to see Richard’s profile, art and comic strip.

Back to interview introduction page.

Webmaster’s note: I have tried to type the handwritten 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!