Why it Matters: A Message from Charles Keith

I want to introduce myself for those of you who may not know me. My name is Charles Keith and my brother, Kevin Keith, was set to be executed in 2010. After a long, hard fight he was taken off death row just 13 days before his execution date. We are still fighting to prove his innocence and set him free.

I share this story because ending executions is personal to me. Executions are an injustice, a stain on this country, and they sentence innocent people to death. But innocent or guilty, I know from personal experience what it is to have a loved one on death row, within days of execution. Even if you do have support, you feel completely alone.

That’s why I’m excited to announce that, because of YOU and supporters like you, I have joined the Death Penalty Action team. My role will be as an occasional spokesperson, and an occasional organizer, but most importantly I want you to know this: When Abe asked me to join the team, he wanted me to be able to use my experience as a death row family member and also as a murder victim family member to be an advocate for those most impacted by this awful system.

I want to thank you. Thank you for all you’ve done this year to help end executions. Whether you’ve donated, signed an action, or read more about the issue — you’ve taken an important and critical step toward ending executions in the United States.

Thank You.

This year we have an amazing opportunity to end federal executions once and for all. You are going to hear more about that on Sunday. Watch for the e-mail and on our social media platforms.

On behalf of all of us at Death Penalty Action, I look forward to the year ahead with all of you and the things we will undoubtedly accomplish. Together we will make the difference.

Thanks. I wish you and yours all the best in the new year.

-Charles Keith

PS: Our friend Ahmad Issa survived 22 years on Ohio’s death row for a crime he did not commit. He’s been free just over a year, but still struggling. Learn more and help him resume his life here. Also, our friends at Witness to Innocence have an Emergency Relief Fund for other survivors of death row who have been fully exonerated, but are struggling to make ends meet. Please check it out.