The Sun Does Shine

1. Innocence Can Be a Death Sentence

But more so than the evidence, I have never had as strong a feeling in trying any other case that the defendant just radiated guilt and pure evil as much as in the Hinton trial.

Systemic Failures: The book highlights how a flawed justice system, fueled by racial bias and inadequate legal representation, can lead to the wrongful conviction of innocent individuals. Anthony Ray Hinton's case demonstrates that being poor and black in the American South can make you a target for a system that prioritizes convictions over truth.

• Hinton was arrested based on a misidentification and a gun that was later proven not to be the murder weapon.
• His court-appointed lawyer was ineffective, lacking the resources and motivation to mount a proper defense.
• The prosecution, driven by a desire for a conviction, ignored evidence of his innocence.

Premeditated Guilt: The prosecution, led by Bob McGregor, seemed more interested in securing a conviction than in finding the truth. McGregor's statement reveals a deep-seated bias, suggesting that Hinton's appearance and demeanor were more damning than the lack of concrete evidence. This highlights how prejudice can blind individuals to the facts and lead to grave injustices.

The Burden of Proof: The book underscores the importance of the legal principle that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, not the defendant. Hinton's case shows how this principle can be easily subverted when the system is biased against the accused. The State of Alabama was able to consolidate cases, relate them to a third, and put the death penalty on the table, despite a lack of evidence.

2. The Power of Unconditional Love

For my mother, Buhlar Hinton. May we all learn to love as unconditionally as she did.

Maternal Devotion: Buhlar Hinton's unwavering love and support for her son, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, serves as a powerful testament to the strength of maternal bonds. Her belief in his innocence never wavered, and she provided him with the emotional strength he needed to endure his wrongful imprisonment.

• She dressed up for jail visits as if she were going to church, showing her dignity and resolve.
• She always asked when "they" were going to let him come home, never losing hope.
• She taught him to love unconditionally, a lesson he carried with him throughout his ordeal.

Friendship as a Lifeline: Lester Bailey's unwavering friendship and loyalty to Hinton is another example of the power of unconditional love. Lester visited Hinton every week for nearly thirty years, providing him with emotional support and financial assistance.

• Lester was the first in line on visiting day, stopping in on his way to work.
• He put money on Hinton's books so he had the essentials.
• He insisted that Hinton never feel alone or abandoned.

Love as a Weapon: The book demonstrates how love can be a powerful force in the face of injustice. Hinton's mother and Lester's love for him sustained him through his darkest moments, giving him the strength to fight for his freedom and maintain his humanity. This love was a weapon against the dehumanizing forces of the prison system.

3. The Injustice of a Biased System

But justice is a funny thing, and in Alabama, justice isn’t blind. She knows the color of your skin, your education level, and how much money you have in the bank.

Racial Bias: The book exposes the deep-seated racial bias that permeates the American justice system, particularly in the South. Hinton's case is a stark reminder of how race can influence every aspect of the legal process, from arrest to conviction and sentencing.

• Hinton was arrested and convicted based on a misidentification by a white victim.
• The all-white jury, judge, and prosecutor were more likely to see him as guilty.
• A police officer told Hinton he would be convicted because he was black.

Economic Disparity: The book also highlights how poverty can be a major obstacle to justice. Hinton's inability to afford a competent lawyer and expert witnesses put him at a significant disadvantage in the courtroom.

• His court-appointed lawyer was paid a paltry sum and lacked the resources to mount a proper defense.
• He was unable to afford a qualified ballistics expert to challenge the State's claims.
• The system treats you better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent.

Legal Lynching: The book uses the term "legal lynching" to describe Hinton's trial, emphasizing the parallels between the injustices of the Jim Crow era and the modern criminal justice system. The book shows how the system can be manipulated to target and punish individuals based on their race and socioeconomic status.

4. Hope as a Form of Resistance

There’s no sadder place to be in this world than a place where there’s no hope.

Maintaining Hope: Despite the overwhelming odds against him, Hinton never completely lost hope. He clung to the belief that the truth would eventually come out and that he would one day be free. This hope was a form of resistance against the dehumanizing forces of the prison system.

• He told his mother he would be home soon, even when he knew it was unlikely.
• He prayed for a miracle and tried not to criticize it if the miracle didn’t look like what he expected.
• He focused on the love and support he received from his mother and Lester.

Imagination as Escape: Hinton used his imagination as a way to escape the harsh realities of prison life. He would imagine himself traveling the world, meeting beautiful women, and living a life of freedom.

• He would imagine he was driving across the country, visiting the Pacific Ocean, and dancing in Central America.
• He would imagine he was a CEO or a lawyer who could outargue anyone in a courtroom.
• He would imagine he was a doctor or a firefighter.

Faith as a Source of Strength: Hinton's faith in God also provided him with strength and resilience. He believed that God would ultimately bring justice to his case, even if it didn't happen in the way he expected. He prayed for the truth, for the victims, and for his loved ones.

5. The Importance of Human Connection

What does a man do with a love like that? What does a man do?

Friendship and Support: The book emphasizes the importance of human connection in the face of adversity. Hinton's relationships with his mother and Lester were crucial to his survival, providing him with the emotional support he needed to endure his wrongful imprisonment.

• Lester visited him every week for nearly thirty years.
• His mother's love was a constant source of strength.
• They were the only people who never doubted his innocence.

Community on Death Row: Hinton also found connection with other inmates on death row, creating a sense of community in a place designed to isolate and dehumanize. He learned to engage those around him and create an identity on death row unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

• He shaped the lives of dozens of other death row prisoners.
• He offered advice and counsel to correctional officers.
• He created a book club to help the men escape their reality.

The Power of Shared Experience: The book shows how shared experiences can create bonds between people, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. Hinton's relationships with other inmates, despite their different backgrounds and crimes, provided him with a sense of belonging and purpose.

6. Forgiveness as a Path to Freedom

I love you. You might think I’m crazy for telling a man that I love him that’s done prosecuted me and is trying to send me to the death chair, but I love you.

Overcoming Hatred: Despite the injustice he suffered, Hinton chose to forgive those who had wronged him. He recognized that hatred would only consume him and prevent him from finding peace.

• He told McGregor that he didn't hate him, even though McGregor was trying to send him to the death chair.
• He prayed for the judge, the DA, and the bailiffs who had lied on the stand.
• He forgave the jury who had found him guilty.

Forgiveness as a Choice: The book emphasizes that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Hinton chose to forgive his persecutors, not because they deserved it, but because he needed to free himself from the burden of hatred.

• He realized that he couldn't make it into heaven hating anyone.
• He understood that holding on to anger would only hurt him.
• He chose to love even those who had tried to destroy him.

Transformative Power: Hinton's act of forgiveness was transformative, allowing him to move beyond the pain and injustice he had experienced. It was a way to reclaim his humanity and find peace in the midst of chaos. His message of forgiveness is transformative, and I’ve seen him inspire groups of people as diverse as hardened police chiefs and prosecutors to young at-risk teens and students.

7. The Transformative Power of Storytelling

Reading his story is difficult but necessary.

Sharing the Truth: The book itself is a testament to the power of storytelling. By sharing his story, Hinton is able to expose the injustices of the criminal justice system and inspire others to fight for change.

• His story is a powerful indictment of racial bias and economic inequality.
• It highlights the importance of truth and justice.
• It serves as a call to action for reform.

Humanizing the Condemned: Storytelling also allows Hinton to humanize the condemned, showing that they are more than just their crimes. He shares his thoughts, feelings, and experiences, allowing readers to see him as a complex and multifaceted individual.

• He reveals his love for his mother and his friends.
• He shares his dreams and aspirations.
• He shows his vulnerability and his strength.

Inspiring Change: By sharing his story, Hinton is able to connect with people on a personal level, inspiring them to question the status quo and fight for a more just and equitable world. His story is one of forgiveness, friendship, and triumph. It is situated amid racism, poverty, and an unreliable criminal justice system.

8. Finding Humanity in the Darkest Places

You don’t change who you are and how you was raised for anyone.

Maintaining Dignity: Despite the dehumanizing conditions of death row, Hinton never lost his sense of dignity. He refused to be defined by his circumstances and maintained his humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

• He treated the guards with respect, even when they treated him poorly.
• He continued to care about his appearance and his personal hygiene.
• He refused to let the prison system break his spirit.

Acts of Kindness: The book also highlights the importance of small acts of kindness in the darkest of places. Hinton's interactions with other inmates and even some of the guards demonstrate that even in the most dehumanizing environments, human connection and compassion can still exist.

• He helped other inmates cope with their fear and despair.
• He offered advice and support to those who were struggling.
• He created a sense of community on death row.

Resisting Dehumanization: By maintaining his dignity and showing compassion to others, Hinton resisted the dehumanizing forces of the prison system. He refused to be reduced to a number or a statistic, and he held on to his humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.

9. The Enduring Strength of the Human Spirit

This book is something of a miracle, because there were many moments when I believe both of us feared he would never survive to tell his story.

Resilience and Perseverance: The book is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Hinton's ability to survive nearly thirty years on death row, despite the constant threat of execution and the dehumanizing conditions of prison life, is a remarkable feat of resilience and perseverance.

• He never gave up hope, even when things seemed hopeless.
• He continued to fight for his freedom, even when it seemed impossible.
• He maintained his humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Triumph Over Adversity: Hinton's story is ultimately one of triumph over adversity. Despite the injustice he suffered, he emerged from his ordeal with his spirit intact. He is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.

• He became an extraordinary public speaker.
• He has had a life-changing impact on the audiences who hear him.
• His message of forgiveness is transformative.

Inspiration and Hope: Hinton's story is an inspiration to all who have faced injustice and adversity. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope, love, and forgiveness can prevail. His witness, his life, his journey is an unforgettable inspiration.

Last updated: January 27, 2025