Faith. Hope. Love.
Ramiro remains ever calm and faithful as we wait to hear from the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
I'm sitting in the lobby of my hotel, eating a bowl of raisin bran. Today marks the beginning of what are anticipated to be Ramiro's final days, and I feel compelled to briefly update you on recent developments in his case and my journey alongside him.
In recent days, several excellent articles have been published about Ramiro and his situation. Here are a few noteworthy pieces:
In Texas, executions are typically scheduled for 6pm on a Wednesday. The days leading up to that evening are filled with "last visits" — two and a half days spent with family and friends. They also include a series of other “lasts”: last court filings, last phone calls, last letters, and ultimately, last words.
"Last visits" occur from 8:00am to 5:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Execution Day. After this, Ramiro will be transferred to the Huntsville Unit where the execution will be carried out. Despite the circumstances, Ramiro remains in relatively good spirits. I had the opportunity to visit him on Saturday night with one of his attorneys, and we had a great time together. He is prepared for whatever unfolds on Wednesday, possibly more so than those of us who surround him right now.
Today holds significant weight. It is the day when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles will decide on Ramiro's clemency petition. Additionally, there are three pending legal actions in the Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA), all of which are expected to be resolved before evening. It mirrors the exact scenario we faced two years ago when we awaited the decision that ultimately led to Ramiro's stay of execution. The anxiety of that moment is palpable once again.
Ramiro concludes all his letters with the words "Faith. Hope. Love." While I hold onto love tightly, I am struggling to hold on to the faith and the hope.
More to come.
In peace,
Rev. Bri-anne