Danny Robbie Hembree Jr.'s Letter Taunts Victim's Family
Danny Hembree is on death row in North Carolina and has recently published a letter in the local paper that taunts the victim's family and community.
In a letter written to The Gaston Gazette, Hembree wrote: "Is the public aware that I am a gentleman of leisure, watching color TV in the A/C, reading, taking naps at will, eating three well-balanced meals a day?"
Hembree was sentenced to death row after being convicted of the murder of a 17-year-old girl. He is also accused of two other murders and is awaiting trial for those cases while serving his sentence at Central Prison in Raleigh. One case could put him back in court in March.
All three families of Hembree's victims were outraged and complained to the publishers. The young girl's father told reporters, "I think he is probably one of the most inhumane people I know walking the earth right now."
Editor Leo Hohmann defended his decision to print the letter and said, "It was legible, clearly written and made a definite point. We thought it was interesting his arrogance came through, and he's not exactly denying anything either…we felt the public should be aware of his attitude toward the death sentence."
Stephen Dear, executive director of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty told reporters, "It is no surprise that someone who would murder others in cold blood would also say the things he has said. He is getting the attention he wants, fomenting the response and anger he seeks. He wants to bring us all down to his level."
Hembree concluded his letter by writing, "I am a man who is ready to accept his unjust punishment and face God almighty with a clear conscience, unlike you cowards and your cowardly system. Kill me if you can, suckers. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
