How I Am A Killer's Deryl Madison Escaped The Death Penalty

As The New York Times relates in its April 7, 1988 report, Beulah Jolivet, 81 years old, was stabbed and beaten in her Houston home. Deryl Madison (above) was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping and murder in the case (per The Cinemaholic). Central to Madison's defense in the case were his mental health issues, worsened by a long history of substance use disorder. After the murder, Madison stole money from Jolivet and ransacked her house, selling the items to buy cocaine. Those particulars of Madison's mental health challenges were corroborated by Dr. Wendall Dickerson at the trial, as a legal memorandum explains (via Casetext).

Madison was only able to get the help of the Mayer Brown firm, however, with the help of an international anti-capital punishment organization, the Italian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, part of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. Madison got in touch with the coalition founder Michela Mancini through a letter he wrote to her from prison in 1995 (via The Focus). From there, Madison and Mancini grew close, and once Madison's execution was scheduled she helped put him in touch with high-profile legal representation.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).