Life After Death: The Shocking True Story of a Innocent Man on Death Row

wm3.org cofounder Burk Sauls at her home in Little Rock. All the pieces I have left were for the most part smuggled out by Lorri while I was inside. (Grove Pashley)

This piece was given to me by Harada Roshi, and I have it to this day.

Once in a while I saved clippings about the case. This one, from 2005, reports on the state’s refusal to reconsider my conviction. But that denial did provide the opportunity to take my case ultimately to the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Me in 2004. It was a terribly difficult and dark year. Even though we had tremendous support and sympathy in the outside world, our case had made no progress. (Grove Pashley)

Jason and Jessie, around 2004. They were often incarcerated together in prison, even sleeping in beds side by side for a time. (Grove Pashley)

With several people who helped save my life, some of whom worked at it for years. Left to right: Miu and Burk Sauls, Chad Robertson, Kathy Bakken, me, Lisa Fancher, and Grove Pashley. (Grove Pashley)

With Lorri, August 19, 2011, at the party for Jason, Jessie, and me at the Madison Hotel, Memphis—my first day of freedom in eighteen years. I hadn’t slept in nearly a week. (Grove Pashley)

With Eddie Vedder and Lorri.

With some of my family. Left to right: Lorri, my nephew August, my niece Shae, Lorri’s sister Sherry, my niece Sydney, and Sherry’s husband, Sam Chico.

My first visit to the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2012, with friend Danny Bland. A far cry from the art scene on Death Row.

With Helen Carr, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Lorri, at an all-ice bar in New Zealand—the start of many surreal travels and adventures.

Lorri, Amy Berg, and me, spring 2012. Amy, who directed West of Memphis beautifully, has become a dear friend.

With Lorri at Sundance, January 2012. I’m starting to look a little less dazed here, right? It was a beautiful place, and the sight of that snow falling was better than just about anything else I’d seen since getting out.

With Marilyn Manson, on our way to the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles. I introduced Manson that night—my first “public speaking” appearance—and I was nervous as hell. Manson was a supporter of ours behind the scenes for years; he will always be a hero of mine.

With Johnny Depp, a true friend and brother, and tattoo artist Mark Mahoney, Los Angeles, 2012.

Lorri and me with Jacob Pitts, another good and deeply loyal friend.

Lorri and me, New York, June 2012.

A recent photo shoot for a magazine, 2012. I hardly recognize the man posing for the camera, but I know he’s a lot more comfortable in his skin than I was for many years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    Without the following people, this book would have never seen the light of day. I offer them my deepest appreciation.
    First and foremost, my wife, Lorri Davis. You are the reason I am still alive. Without you, there is nothing.
    Thanks to Johnny Depp, who has proven himself time and again to be my brother in all but blood.
    To Eddie Vedder, who has been my friend and safety net for nearly two decades now. We love you.
    To Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, the two most intelligent people I’ve ever encountered. What I owe you can never be repaid. When I hear your voices, it feels like home.
    To Philippa Boyens and Seth Mills, you were and are always there.
    To Jacob Pitts, for being what you are and doing what you do. The third leg of our tripod. Thank you.
    To our songbird, Natalie Maines. We love you.
    To Henry Rollins, god of punk. You never tired, never failed, and never once let us down. You were always there, and I aspire to be more like you.
    To my legal team, Steve Braga, Patrick Benca, Lonnie Soury, Dennis Riordan, and Don Horgan. Thank you so much for all you’ve done.
    To my editor, Sarah Hochman, at Blue Rider Press, who worked tirelessly to make this book a reality. Without your energy and guidance this book would not exist.
    Also to David Jauss, for planting the seed and tending it in the early days.
    A special thanks to Michele Anthony; Ken Kamins; my agent, Henry Dunow; and to David Rosenthal, Aileen Boyle, and Brian Ulicky at Blue Rider Press. To Gregg Kulick and Claire Vaccaro at Penguin for art direction and design, and Shepard Fairey for a beautiful book jacket. You did for me what I couldn’t do for myself. Thank you dearly.
    Thank you, Nicole Vandenberg, Christi Dembrowski, Josie Leckie, and Matt Dravitzki, for your ever-present work behind the scenes.
    Without the following