Jack Alderman was the longest serving prisoner on Death Row in the USA. For nearly 34 years Jack Alderman sought justice. His final appeal was denied in November 2006. He was only hours from execution on October 18th 2007 when he received a temporary stay while the US Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of lethal injection. However it was sanctioned on April 16th 2008, despite overwhelming evidence that it may cause excruciating pain. London artist, Simone Sandelson fought to a last minute for a reprieve for the man who has inspired her paintings.

Jack Alderman was executed by lethal injection at 7:15 pm est on 
Tuesday 16th September. He died in 14 minutes with a smile on his face.

The cover of John Grisham’s book, "The Innocent Man" reads,
”If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this book will shock you. If you believe in the death penalty, this book will disturb you. If you believe the criminal justice system is fair, this book will infuriate you.”
This statement could have been specifically tailored for the story of Jack Alderman. It is an egregious case, full of errors, omissions and missing evidence. New evidence had been uncovered by the legal team from London and the US allowing an Extraordinary Motion for a New Trial to be submitted to the Georgia Court on April 1st 2008. It was denied on May 10th.

This is a very human story of suffering, dignity and compassion through the poetry and prose of Jack Alderman and the paintings of Simone Sandelson.

The intention was to raise awareness of the injustice of this case both in the UK and the USA; to expose the cruelty of keeping a person on Death Row for over 33 years awaiting execution, and especially when the judgement was never beyond reasonable doubt.

The State’s case was based only on the false testimony of a former work colleague, John Arthur Brown, who saved himself by implicating Alderman.

The ultimate aim was to reverse the sentence of death and secure the freedom of Jack Alderman.

Article by David Pannick QC.
'A brush with the cruelty of death
The Times 13th March, 2007

Interview with Simone Sandelson.
Sunday Times 'News Review'
18th February, 2007

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Latest US Press coverage:
CBS News video
'Art for Condemned Man'

CBS News Editorial
'Artist Pays Tribute to Death Row Pen pal'

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