"I Am Ready, Warden": New Film on TX Death Row Prisoner John Ramirez Examines Redemption & Vengeance

[@jayjoy331]

It's nice to know he felt great comfort before his death. It's extremely tragic and sad to know that his victim didn't feel that same level of comfort before he died while laying on a cold hard floor by himself.

[@sandrabaker1312]

He gets executed for one murder, yet some who kill multiple victims in death penalty states get LWOP it does not make sense.

[@cheaterfeet331]

@@sussybaca7256 and the state most states don't have death penalty

[@Kevin-lc2vs]

He stabbed the guy 29 times then robbed him which in texas he was charged with capital murder which is death penalty/ LWOP he requested the death penalty upon his guilty verdict

[@Misfits89]

Brutality killing one man by stabbing him is a slow painful death, this man lost his right to live when he decided to killed someone

[@ToeKnife166]

He asked for a death sentence

[@Kelly-d9l4t]

So true

[@donchalk3191]

It's terrible you show these killers compassion.

[@RossHunt-x5g]

I've followed this guy over the years. Well, watched his interviews. He is literally the only one on death row that I ever believed he had remorse. Not saying he shouldn't be punished. I do truly think he is sorry tho. I've done a lot of time in my life, and very few guys walk that Christian walk all the way. Sure hope he made it to heaven

[@Gokulosestoavirus]

See how evil god is. I’m an atheist, and I help people. But since I don’t believe. I’m going to hell, but this guy can kill a person, claim to believe, and go to heaven. God is evil

[@humblehummingbird8420]

Me too!

[@LouisCasas]

I believe that he is in the presence of the Lord 🕊

[@tarttooth6022]

Keri Blakinger is a BAMF. Thank you so much for your important work. Despite the hardships of your job, I hope for nothing but as much peace and love in your life as possible.

[@angelloya6035]

People do change. With that said, he did the crime and was judged and sentenced for it before he changed. Theres no coming back for the man he killed...

[@josh-rz3uq]

On the rare occasion that people actually do change, it's more often than not *for the worst.*

[@kevinwilliams1768]

excellent interview .

[@TheMooncoin]

We have no death penalty in Canada. As a former worker in the criminal justice system, early in my career I met Ronnie S. who had murdered his wife. At the time, I was fully in support of the death penalty and I was upset when it had been abolished in Canada 3 years earlier. This was an interim period between the abolition of the death penalty and the restructuring of parole legislation to provide for the minimum 25-year "life" that is now in place in Canada. On the old system, if a killer was not sentenced to death, he/she could be on parole in as little as 10 years on a life sentence. This was the situation in Ronnie S.'s case. At the time, I thought this guy was the poster boy for capital punishment. Long story short, 7 years later I was working as a parole officer and had determined that this career was no longer for me, On my last day of work, a colleague advised me that Ronnie, who had been on parole for about 8 years at this time, had gotten into a drunken argument with his neighbours the night before, unusual and highly unlikely since he was pretty much a tee-totaler. I accompanied my colleague when he met with Ronnie and was astounded to find Ronnie in tears begging for a psychiatrist to help him deal with his denial of the crime, denial that he had maintained for 20 years. It is important to understand that the denial was internalized to convince HIMSELF nothing had ever happened. That was the day my attitude to the death penalty took a 180. Here's a guy who worked every day of his life after release, had caused no problems whatsoever to his community, had reestablished a relationship with his daughter, and generally contributed positively to society; who was now truly remorseful for his crime. What right do I have, as a citizen of Canada, to demand that he should die? What right does my government have to kill him? In the end' I hope he got the help he asked for - I'm sure he did; my colleague would certainly have organized that. - and I wish him well.

[@1234dickinson]

This made me weep

[@stevebeschakis9775]

Punishing an act with the same act always seemed odd to me. If murder is wrong, it's wrong no matter who does it, including the state.

[@CaptainCanuck68]

That's the hypocrisy of religion for you.

[@gabrielmaroto18]

Explain it to all the guards that sign up for the privilege of pressing the switch

[@dealscale]

Eye for an eye. If your loved one is murdered, would you say the same?

[@romanski5811]

​@@dealscale Probably not, but then my reasoning would be compromised. I wouldn't be thinking straight. And I don't think we should base our justice system on irrational momentary feels, rather on thoughtful considerations of ethics and morals, especially since it can be very nuanced at times.

[@bbswag5420]

Eye for an eye … if this demon was in any other country the people would have solved their own problems without law enforcements involvement.

[@carrollbridges6427]

It doesn't matter what he did if he lived his life for god before death and really gave his heart to the Lord he's in Heaven now, the Lord forgave him, and his sin was forgiven

[@rottweilerfun9520]

None of that stuff is real , not god , not heaven or hell , or any afterlife. That's all make believe and fairytales.

[@johnhmielewski1230]

It doesn't matter what he did? Hahaha man you people ARE sick.

[@jean-claudeduclos5248]

oui

[@steviehope7718]

Ffs

[@Samantha-ys2pp]

Not referring to his specific case, if you become a Christian great for you. However, justice works in a different way. No one can take away, not even Jesus the wrong you did to others. What if the victim wants justice? It doesn't mean the person is bad, mean , unforgiving. He/she is in their right to demand it. Therefore, redemption for your own good is a great thing, it is beautiful to witness, but justice is another thing.

[@jojothepizzacat7538]

Repent and the Lord forgives even the worst sinners.Repent and follow Jesus please?

[@Lorri-dr4ft]

And baptism in Jesus name. Baptism washes away our sins. Acts 2:38-39

[@dealscale]

All murderers who are locked up says "i would take it back if i can". And also conveniently "finds" God. If they werent locked up, that wouldnt be the case. And some of you think death penalty is cruel yet none of you would say the same if your loved ones were murdered. Oh the irony.

[@murdoch3396]

The regret that they were caught. That’s all.

[@re4477]

There are many that refuse to admit the horrors they commited. They'll preach their innocence until the very end.

[@chrisso1029]

I’m confused why his loss of faith (or at least belief in the afterlife) seemed to be the most devastating part of his story to the filmmaker, herself not a person of faith. It could mean he’s given up, but that’s not necessarily for the worst. It didn’t stop him brutally stabbing an innocent man dozens of times, yet he saw it as providential that he was initially spared execution. That is at least slightly sinister, as is a religion based on redemption rather than one that inspires you to do good, or at least refrain from evil. One could equally argue that his lack of faith before death shows maturity, that his apparent sense of remorse was not based on the promise of wish fulfilment. Maybe they sentenced an evil man and executed a good one. But his lack of faith, and possible despondency, at the end might just be a sign that he’d come to terms with the evil he’d done on another family and his; that thoughts about his own soul were not any longer of prime importance.

[@cwnapier67]

I am not very religious but find this observation very interesting and agree with your last paragraph. I also wondered why the son of Pablo didn’t witness the execution.

[@MrJacobrabbit]

Death penalty is.wrong and unevenly applied

[@colemanhigley747]

Remorseful?? After the fact. Appreciative of life and justice?? After the fact. Had he not been caught he would have done it again. Is the death penalty a deterrant? Yes.. This guy won't do it again.

[@jll9697]

He won't do it again, but someone else will. It amazes me that people do things to put themselves in this situation despite the consequences. Some people just snap. They lack a sense of compassion in the heat of the moment.

[@cecillec2331]

Tell me how remorse can happen "before the fact"?

[@johnstinnett8822]

When people commit murder as I did. I did 16 and a half years behind bars for murder and notice while I was doing it did I think about the consulting after I did it and I didn't have remorse until after I did it and before I got caught. People do change, and I have been out of prison since 2011. I also have 2 kids, and I regret every day for what I did so people can change if they truly want to as I am proof of this change

[@colemanhigley747]

@johnstinnett8822 I'm glad that you changed and hopefully you are a positive influence in your children's lives. Is there anything society could have done to influence you not to murder the person you did beforehand?

[@lindasapiecha2515]

Just trying to promote a book

[@Perla-nm3mo]

Baby killers killers are getting 10 to15 years and he git a death sentence for a fight gone bad crazy

[@Seekthetruth3000]

We should do away with the death penalty. Life with no parole is fine.

[@dealscale]

Would you say the same if your mother and child was murdered?

[@JayBurton-v6k]

How??? At the cost of the tax payer?? Why do they deserve that privilege

[@Seekthetruth3000]

@@JayBurton-v6k What if an innocent person is killed?

[@oneseeker2]

Nope

[@jimgaston9863]

You pay for that yourself then,most don’t want to

[@Misfits89]

This man lost his right to live the moment he took some else’s life

[@iCover480]

This poor murderer.

[@KristieWhite-y9q]

There should not be death penalty only life with no parole

[@RougaRouKJun]

I thank god you don’t make that decision. Also if your child were raped and murdered you would feel different. YOU don’t have the context for this. The condemned die for the victims family to move on having justice served for their brutally murdered loved one

[@jean-claudeduclos5248]

Je suis d'accord

[@Leo-hv9mm]

American legal system is insane.

[@humblehummingbird8420]

This is such a good short doc. Yall should watch the other interview he did, but I can’t remember who did it. But you can find it if you type in Death Row Documentary, and his name.

[@SteelMagnolia55]

I believe that he did change and showed grace and dignity until his sentence was carried out! I also believe that there is a higher power. He was being prepared for the next life by having to go through the torture of repentance and redemption. Our actions always have consequences and death by execution was his. I am thankful that he repented for his actions prior to the sentence being carried out. May both Mr. Castro and Mr. Ramirez RIP and the families involved have peace and comfort.

[@Curt-Gevert]

YT and DN probably doesn't want you all to know this, but he stabbed his victim 29 times and robbed him for $1.25. You decide if it was justice served.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

He was a young man full of hate and rage who let it out and made a mistake he regretted. Now a boy has no father. No this isn't bringing justice; it is continuing the hate and violence.

[@northscot9862]

👌

[@migsyp4292]

That's not the point, people like you just don't get, I don't bother trying to explain it anymore tbh.

[@Curt-Gevert]

@@Babu-kr3cr There are 14 grandchildren who don't have a grandfather. To you, Pablo Castro was a faceless, nameless person, but he was alive, he had value.

[@Curt-Gevert]

@@Babu-kr3cr 29 ножових поранень - це не помилка.

[@mandyellis876]

The fact that he actually got to say goodbye to his son is a complete travesty, considering the victim was afforded no such clemency! Why is it always about the perpetrator as opposed to the victim?

[@mladyriad]

Ty

[@kimwexlersponytail]

I live in Scotland, and we don't have the death penalty but I watched some BBC documentaries and was struck by how few people protest outside death row prisons when executions are taking place . I have to assume that most people, living in DP states are in favour- or at the very least indifferent about capital punishment 🤷‍♂️

[@marciekarr2418]

A LOT of us Americans DO believe in death penalty. I per

[@chanteledwards3615]

I’m not against it. I’m against the fact that people that commit the same crimes get different penalties.

[@MamadouKane-w6f]

What about Brotha Marcellus Williams who was unjustly put to death a couple of months ago?! Why he not getting a documentary, huh?!

[@sunchild9455]

He's black! Nobody cares

[@10thscaleperformance]

Someone always has to turn something into a racial statement. It's odd that those who scream racism the most are the biggest racist, the irony!

[@woodyssnake8562]

Why don't you make one

[@heatheral-hammadi3046]

Make one

[@Kelly-d9l4t]

I want to watch this documentary 😭

[@menudobucket9837]

Children under 12 want to know how killing people who’ve killed other people shows that killing is wrong. I’d like to know why we are sending our children mixed messages.

[@gabrielmaroto18]

This is America!

[@MrJacobrabbit]

Exactly

[@gabrielmaroto18]

@@menudobucket9837 this will be the second time I left this comment, explain that to the security guard who sign up for the privilege of flipping the switch

[@menudobucket9837]

@~ The privilege? To have considered it as such explains to the rest of us how deluded that guard (and others like him) are. Only after being raised in a society where mixed messages were, and still are the daily diet of the citizenry, fed to them by religious heretics whose only gospel is that of prosperity and the getting of gain when it SHOULD be about sharing the wealth would it be considered a privilege! As long as the only interest people have is in themselves and guarding what they have against those who they perceive to be thieves, whether of life, limb, liberty, or treasure, they will always seek retribution rather than reconciliation.

[@murdoch3396]

Maybe we shouldn’t base all of our policies on what children can understand. I bet he doesn’t grasp interest rates and economics as well, should we abolish that system so some kid can understand better?

[@menudobucket9837]

Capital Punishment is a hold over from a barbaric time when people held a pre enlightenment interpretation of scripture that dictates that we should take an eye for an eye that has been taken; but that amounts to cherry picking the scriptures and jumping back and forth between Old Testament and New. The New Testament very clearly speaks to this issue where it is written: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;..” 2nd Corinthians 15:18 (KJV) ..as well as: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (KJV) And what is an eye for an eye if it’s not vengeance? Who wants to be held responsible for the taking of innocent life? Once it’s done, it can’t be undone, and the state should not be given that level of authority; whether right or wrong, simply because it can be abused, and quite often, it is. Why did Germany abolish the death penalty in 1948? It was because Hitler abused it and sent some six million people to their deaths. Trump is in love with the death penalty. Isn’t it possible that HE might follow Hitler’s example and abuse his position to kill innocent people just because they don’t agree with him? If he makes it an official act, it’ll be condoned by the SCOTUS that has already ruled that a president’s official acts are not illegal. He has already said that disabled people should just die. Is there another holocaust on the horizon of unwritten history? In my opinion, people are far too short sighted and don’t consider what might result from their decisions! As a nation, we should ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY! Our method of criminal justice incorporates a penal system but calls it the “Department of Corrections.” How is any correction realized by anyone’s death? It’s an antiquated way of thinking!

[@CaptainCanuck68]

He's accepted his sentence and is now dead. What else can we take from him?

[@CaptainCanuck68]

Ah, my reply was removed. I guess that's my freedom to speak.

[@CaptainCanuck68]

I'm sorry for speaking my mind, please forgive me.

[@drakethesnek6429]

No forgiveness.

[@jerryglenn7323]

Everyone gets religious when they know their deletion date. Once you cross the Rubicon, you cannot go back. Everyone should understand it.

[@blueblood723]

Justice served.

[@RougaRouKJun]

Remember justice is never about if the convicted learned their lesson, or feels bad, justice is for the victims family. Justice is also a deterrent. There isn’t a single person in this comment section with a murdered son or daughter. Unless you have a family member murdered violently I don’t consider your opinion on execution to be valid.

[@litaramjatan1364]

Dit is wat GOD bedoeld, met REDEMPTION..U BENT GERED🤲😇🙏 DANK U JESUS❤💝

[@angelicaflores6559]

The judge should have given him a chance. Yes, he became a murder and just murdered one person. I have seen so many cases that prisoners have murder more than one individual and are still in prison. Very sad case.

[@storeybuckle]

A chance? He already had his chance! This isn’t some new trivial law that had just been passed. Maybe he should have told the judge, jury and the victim’s family he was unaware that taking someone’s life was even a law. They probably would have let him go home after realizing that it was all a misunderstanding!

[@angelicaflores6559]

The law has made so many mistakes. We need to ask for wisdom from above instead of having humanity wisdom. I've known a lot seen so much mistakes and misunderstandings that have been done.

[@susanratz9343]

Just murdered one person? Good thing it wasn’t your loved one

[@cwnapier67]

If you found this this documentary interesting, I highly recommend watching the BBC documentary “Life and Death Row”, Season 4 - In Cold Blood. It covers the same case and is extremely well done. The same brother features prominently in the show and i find it odd that Pablo’s other son is not in this documentary. He is an EMT and was against the death penalty. I feel horrible for both sons and the son of John Ramirez. John’s son is much younger in the BBC documentary. Highly recommended and an extremely sad case whatever your feelings on the death penalty are.

[@Goodiesfanful]

People do change. But many cases have shown that changed inmates are not spared the death penalty in the US because they have changed.

[@davidglove6017]

The state of Texas has special qualifications for the death penalty to be given. An example would be the murder of a child 12 years old or younger, the murder of a police officer, the murder of a corrections officer and there are certain aggravating circumstances of the crime that can make someone eligible for a death penalty sentence. That is why, in the state of Texas at least, that certain convicted murderers are sentenced to death and other are not.

[@ryanfoxley6756]

Death penalty should be banned it is vile and inhumane

[@Jetwaterrunnerfeller]

John given freedom, liberty, opportunity. He could have had any life he wanted. He chose drugs and murder. Texas is very clear what the penalty is.

[@DidiDa-v9l]

What madness is this? You ask God for forgiveness and leave the sin. And God is the owner of all mercy. You trust in Him, not your doubts or shaytan whispering.

[@anovemberstar]

The other thing is, in most cases it's the sentence of death that promotes the change - had he not been given the death penalty, maybe he'd not have been as motivated to change

[@voicije]

can we see this in Canada?

[@Babu-kr3cr]

He looks like a Christian. You can see the light and hope in his eyes. I think he was having a moment of doubt like Christ facing the cross when he said he hoped it was just blackness. He shouldn't have been executed especially for something as technical and dumb as requesting the pastor to lay hands on him if he did get executed after he was already spared the date. He was a young man at the time, he made a mistake and is sorry. That doesn't give victims closure. That just brings more blood guilt. This man didn't want to do it again, he wasn't proud of it. It is like they killed his soul as a consequence to justify their self-righteous evil system. There shouldn't be a death penalty. Especially in a nation professing a Christian basis.

[@migsyp4292]

Interesting that most states that conduct executions, have higher homicides than states that don't. Funny that,

[@chrisso1029]

America was founded on secular principles. The fact that there’s a majority of christians, and the more extreme of them want to impose their values on everyone, doesn’t change that. The fact you see christianity in his eyes is supposed to mean what, exactly? Does that make him somehow a better, more wholesome murderer? Maybe his religion inspired him to become a better person - maybe. If so, fine. It didn’t stop him from stabbing a man dozens of times. So spare me the schtick about his christian eyes. Also: you’re very confused about why he was executed. It had nothing to do with the pastor.

[@Samantha-ys2pp]

Since you are such a merciful soul, let's ask the victim what he has to say. You, me, no one has the right to deny justice to the victim. If he looks Christian, good for him and you (seems you belong to that creed).

[@patkelly6349]

Who was that tv presenter

[@nicksteeves8284]

Torture is not okay

[@davidrichards1302]

We may not yet be able to pass a federal Christian Reduction Act, but at least we can chip away at the problem little by little.

[@Gen-XTex]

So what do non-proponents of the death sentence think should be done to folks like this guy, and why do they feel that way? Serious inquiry. 🤔

[@frankpendlebury8583]

He did everything to avoid the needle

[@filipbruylant2021]

Ramirez.... A proper American name

[@niner4lyfe196]

Eye for an Eye

[@thomasryan2679]

They always get religious in prison.

[@EugeneMcCoy-vr8xu]

No loss

[@murdoch3396]

I’m sure he’s just an innocent angel who didn’t even deserve to be in prison to begin with. Clerk shouldn’t have been there in his way, right Democracy Now?

[@patkelly6349]

Who wasthattvprecenter

[@emiliobello2538]

Interesting

[@matthewnewsome4859]

Jesus can transform anyone ask me how I know!

[@smartdns2582]

Bullshit lol he just shit himself cause he know he's cooked

[@CaptainCanuck68]

I accept my sentence too. I've been sentenced to isolation for my beliefs.

[@chrisso1029]

What are they?

[@loucifer9197]

🤣

[@oneseeker2]

L@@k at all the devoted Christians, its used as a "pass csrd".

[@RonaldGrummer]

3 cheers mile highcity mayor risking jail to oppose 😂 Fascist Mafia Trump

[@marciekarr2418]

Try finding Jesus BEFORE killing someone! For the victim's family, the sentence HAD to be carried out!! Try doing what the REST of the world does, think about any & ALL consequences of ur actions, not just about IF/ WHEN u murder someone!!! ALL actions have consequences!! But ESPECIALLY when u MURDER!! Sad he didn't find God & think about consequences BEFORE the murder, sad for BOTH sides, but u HAVE to pay!!!

[@MustafaAli-z5w]

MAGA Rules! OBEY!

[@litaramjatan1364]

AMEN💝🙏