Key Figures in Walter McMillan's Case and Related Stories

These flashcards cover key figures and events related to the cases discussed in the lecture, focusing on details that are essential for understanding the injustices addressed by Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative.

Walter McMillan

Grew up in Monroeville, Alabama; wrongly accused of murdering a white woman and sentenced to death.

Rhonda Morrison

The white woman who was murdered in the Monroe Cleaners where she worked.

Robert E. Lee Key

Judge in Walter McMillan's capital case; attempted to block Bryan Stevenson from representing McMillan.

Tom Tate

Monroe County sheriff who arrested Walter McMillan and used racially insensitive language.

Bill Hooks

Black jailhouse informant offered release from jail in exchange for fabricating evidence against McMillan.

Tom Chapman

New Monroe County District Attorney who initially resisted post-conviction review in McMillan's case.

Darnell Houston

Witness/informant who provided evidence for the prosecution but disputed Bill Hooks' testimony. Did perjury for the state during the trial, later recanting his statement.

Ralph Myers

Prosecution informant who later changed his story, admitting his information was fabricated.

Ian Manuel

Sentenced to life for a non-homicide crime at age 13; survived 18 years in solitary confinement

Antonio Nunez

Grew up in South Central LA; sentenced to life without parole after being involved in violence at 14. Lots of gang violence around there, and shot at a police officer 

Marsha Colbey

Wrongly accused of murder after burying her stillborn baby on her property. Charged with capital murder leaving her other six children without a mother

Herbert Richardson

Vietnam veteran with severe PTSD; executed for killing his niece and nephew after a house explosion. Bryans first execution and the case that spurred his advocacy for death penalty reforms.

Bryan Stevenson

Lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative; major advocate for justice reform and racial equity.

Charlie

A 14-year-old arrested for killing an abusive boyfriend; faced abuse in adult jail. He faced sexual assault in prison and eventually gets moved to a juvenile facility after advocacy by Bryan Stevenson.

Trina Garnett

Youngest of 12 children; sentenced to life for accidentally causing a fire that killed people.

Karen Kelly 

White women who had an affair with Walter and caused this whole case 

Mrs. Williams

An older black women who announces “I’m here” when she makes it past the police dog to offer support to walter during his case

Henry

First death row inmate that Bryan met, this experience helped him to define what he wanted to do with the rest of is law career which began by him studying “the law and the sociology of race, poverty and power”