The Execution of Paul Carter
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Image credit - the New York times
My name is Paul Carter and I want to tell you my tragic story
About the wrong path I chose in life, that wasn't one of glory
I was born in the state of Maine in the coastal town of Kittery
It was quite a picturesque little town with lovely views of the sea.
My mom was an alcoholic and druggie and so too was my dad
And a normal happy family upbringing was something I never had
I was in and out of state care homes for most of my young life
And I got mixed up with street gangs and always carried a knife.
I teamed up with a ruthless street gang known as the 'Hun'
And it was with them that I first learnt, how to use a gun
The cops busted us many times but the charges never stuck
We ruled our neighbourhood with fear, that and some luck.
One sunday afternoon we got high, on whiskey and cocaine
And decided to rob Jim King, the wealthiest man in Maine
We checked that our guns were loaded and drove off in our car
It was just a forty minute drive to Jim's place, so wasn't too far.
We arrived at his mansion and checked no one was around
Then we walked up a gravel path making quite a sound
We rang the bell twice and then Jim opened the door
The four of us rushed in and pushed him, down on the floor.
We quickly overpowered him and then tied him to a chair
I'll never forget the look on his face, just a frightened stare
Then the front door opened wide and in walked his family
I didn't realise for a moment things would end so tragically.
We turned and fired our guns; his wife and daughter fell dead
Jim then managed to break free and I shot him in the head
We all ran out of the house, then someone shouted" Freeze"
Seems someone had seen us go in and had called the police.
An intense shootout ensued and all the gang died except me
I was tried for capital murder and the judge showed no mercy
All twelve members of the jury had agreed that I was guilty
The judge read out the sentence which was the death penalty.
In Maine state prison I was on death row, for close on four years
And when my time comes, people won't be shedding any tears
I'd commited a heinous murder and I didn't deserve to live
And if I could turn the clock back, my right arm I would give.
I know I'd made many mistakes, I often reflected on my life
All I could see at night was Jim, his daughter and his wife
I didn't deserve forgiveness, I wrote a letter to Jim's son
Told him I needed to pay the price for what I had done.
When the day of execution arrived I'd walk with my head high
It did not bother me none in the slightest, that I would die
Whilst on death row I had found God and I was truly sorry
For my actions I blamed no one, no one else but me.
Two guards escorted me and strapped me down on a gurney
And I realised that for me this was the end of my life journey
The prison doctor inserted three lines into my main arteries
Then I started to feel quite drowsy and I felt an Inner peace.
Through a window I saw the witnesses staring straight ahead
And they'd remain seated until the doctor pronounced me dead
After about five minutes I was gone, I'd just faded away
I was the proof of that saying that crime doesn't pay.
Written 5th September 2021.
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2021
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