Season Three, Episode 02

The Texas Prison Cemetery – also known as “Peckerwood Hill.” Located about a mile from Walls Unit, all inmates who die in prison are buried here if no one claims their body. Photo by Justin Hollar.
Walls Unit, a state prison located in downtown Huntsville, houses the execution chamber. Photo by Justin Hollar.
Michelle Lyons at her home in Huntsville, Texas. Photo by Justin Hollar.
Written prior to his execution, a letter from inmate Robert Coulson to Michelle reads, “Hi, if you are reading this then they killed me. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed talking to you, you seem like a really great lady…I wish you all the luck in the world. Take care. Thank you for your kindness…”
Michelle during her time as a reporter for The Huntsville Item.
A death row officer patch.
One of the cells inside the Walls Unit death house. After being transported from the Polunsky Unit all inmates come here prior to their scheduled execution time. Photo courtesy TDCJ.
The hallway outside the cells leading to the execution chamber. Photo courtesy TDCJ.
Viewing room for the victims family. Photo courtesy TDCJ.
A case file and death watch log for Betty Lou Beets, the first woman Michelle saw executed.
One of two packed file cabinets containing all death row inmate cases Michelle kept while working for the TDCJ. Photo Courtesy Michelle Lyons.

Season Three, Episode 02

These Executions

These Executions

A story of public relations and lethal injection.

Michelle Lyons witnessed over 270 executions carried out by the state of Texas. At age 22, Lyons started reporting for The Huntsville Item, which gave her the opportunity to see her first lethal injection. In 2001, she became the Director of Public Information for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), a spokesperson for 110 prisons across the state. Here, Lyons talks the politics of death row, the infamous Walls Unit execution chamber, and processing her emotions death after death.

Select photos by Justin Hollar. All other images courtesy of TDCJ and Michelle Lyons.

Music by Silent Isle.

 

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Transcript
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