This past Friday night I was listening to the Prison Show radio program when I heard the news that William Rayford has been given an execution date for January 30, 2018. I heard someone talking about this a few days ago and until now it was only rumor and not confirmed news. Now I know it is true.
Rayford is from Dallas County and I know him well as he’s been on Texas death row for over a decade. The years blur together for me but to the best of my recollection Rayford’s previous appeal attorney died on him about five years ago. As a result he had his federal appeal picked up by a Dallas, TX area attorney named Bruce Anton. I remember when Rayford first received his new attorney he was very happy because he thought Bruce Anton was a top quality attorney. I used to think that too until I was almost executes because of Bruce Anton’s carelessness. You see, Bruce Anton used to represent me and I know what it’s like to be in Rayford’s shoes.
So when I heard the news on my friend Rayford I took a deep breath and sent out a silent prayer for him in hopes that Bruce Anton will do all he can for my friend and save him from the death machine in Texas. Because that is what anyone needs when they find themselves with an execution date they need an attorney who’s giving their case 100%.
I am not sure why the Dallas County district court set Rayford’s execution date for January 30, 2018. That is a double edged sword for a death row prisoner. On one hand it gives his legal team a long time to do all they can for him to win a stay and stop the execution if they have not written him off as a goner! On the other hand he will be on death watch, the real death row, for seven months. That is not an easy thing to deal with to say the least.
I hope to see Rayford soon and remind him that it’s not over till it’s over and he has to stay on his attorney making him do all he can do win a stay of execution. Every man on death watch who faces an execution date must do all he can and make it as hard as possible for the executioners in Texas to take their life. Stay strong Rayford! I’m thinking about you brother!
In the struggle.
June 24, 2017
Charles D Flores #999299