8 years 10 months and 19 days without freedom
Recently, I was in a conference that started with a typical “show of hands … how many people …” The general point of this particular talk was that we all have lost someone close to us to cancer as opposed to gun or violent crimes. But, there was one gentleman that raised his hand for every question.
Kirk Bloodsworth, was charged and convicted of rape and first-degree murder of a nine-year-old girl in Maryland in 1984/85. I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from several criminals convicted of financial crimes. However, this was the first I have ever met someone wrongfully convicted.
Eye witness accounts used to develop a composite sketch (retrospectively in haste) were used to convict Bloodsworth. He was sentenced to death in the state of Maryland, that had a history of following through with death sentences. He spent 8 years, 10 months, and 19 days in prison, with two of those years on death row, before he was exonerated using DNA evidence.
His story can be found in a moving and genuine documentary: Bloodsworth — An Innocent Man. Kirk tells his story in this film as if you are sitting down with him at the very same table I first heard his account. You must hear his story from him. I will not even attempt to do it justice here, nor spoil it. Instead, what follows are a few reflections and how his story now serves as a daily reminder to me when facing certain personal and professional challenges. Also, I have an affinity for silver jewelry, and Kirk, I’ve learned is an incredible craftsman. His work is available for purchase on his website, Bloods Stones. Most importantly, Kirk is an activist and public speaker, working to abolish the death penalty. He dedicates his work to those wrongfully convicted, the victims who lost their lives, and lost justice. Kirk crafts rings for those who have been exonerated from death row. You can support his effort here with a donation.

Any problem or challenge I have pales in comparison, and actually are all quite trivial when I consider them relative to what Kirk experienced. My reflections are not an attempt to compare circumstances, but rather how he has inspired a framework and mindset for which I strive to reduce inefficiencies and increase my presence and mindfulness.
On context: Kirk talks about his initial conversations with the investigators and how he said he’d done “a terrible thing.” That phrase was subsequently plastered throughout all forms of media headlines in the form of an alleged confession. What was this terrible thing? He didn’t follow through on getting his wife the taco salad he promised her.
Working in a relatively new industry surrounded by uncertainty and varying degrees of filtered, information, Kirk’s story elevates my pursuit of considering presentation and context of my words and services. As a producer of information, I am more conscious of my potential users and their respective concerns. While impossible to prevent others from reframing and repurposing, it does serve as a reminder that we, as consumers of information are charged with considering context.
On communicating: Kirk, while maintaining his innocence knew he had two choices: 1.) to do nothing or 2.) to stand up. Inspired by his mother, he chose the latter. He stood up with grace, dignity, and a relentless pursuit of justice for the victim who lost her life. He did this without resentment and retaliation.
Kirk knew of his innocence and tells of multiple attorneys that still did not believe his story. He persevered. He read the work of Joseph Wambaugh, The Blooding, which described the first use of DNA testing. He realized that if DNA testing could be used to convict, it should be able to exonerate. And it was with that information he set out to submit his innocence to those that doubted. That process alone, is worth listening to his account. It certainly had moments where many would have given up the pursuit.
It leaves me with the reminder and the question:
First impressions are not always correct.
How much do we rely on filtered information over science or cut a corner to make our work fit the desired outcome?
And two notable quotes from Kirk:
“If you ever want to know what freedom’s like, have somebody take it away from you for a while.”
“You can release an innocent man from prison, but you can’t release him from the grave.”

