A Brothers Story
Hello my name is Lundy. I am Granville Riddle's brother, not of blood
but rather of mutual choice. I can not describe to you the pain of
losing someone in such a sick, unjust, and unnatural way as lethal
injection. I would like to tell you a little about Granville from my
own experience with him. I am sure that most of you view this website
knew him. Well, I would like to tell you a little more.
I actually only knew Granville for a couple of years but in the time I
visited and wrote with him more than anyone. He and I were both raised
around the same small towns in the Texas panhandle. I had heard his
name in connection to mutual friends but I had never met him. Many
years later a friend in Dallas had started writing to inmates on Death
Row here in Texas. Granville's name was mentioned and I was ask if I
would consider corresponding with him. A short time later I began
writing him.
At first our letters were about once every other week. As we began to
become true friends he ask if I would like to come and visit him. I
told him I would enjoy visiting him and sent him the information he
needed so that I could be added to his visitation list. Over the coarse
of the next few months our friendship became stronger and we began to
refer to one another as "Bubba" ( that is Texan for brother) and indeed
that is what we had become.I have been referred to as his best friend
by many who have e-mailed me. I find that term offensive and degrading
as I know he referred to me as brother.
During the time I knew Granville our conversations were numerous . We
talked about everything from music, the Texas panhandle, our friends
and our families. Granville was honest, open, and willing to talk about
any subject that might arise. When I had first begun writing with him I
had no idea of his personality but I soon discovered he was smart and
very articulate. At this point I could tell you about his childhood, or
about his case but those are not my stories to relay. I want to tell
you about Granville as a person.
Granville had a great concern for those with whom he felt close. He
would show me pictures and tell me about his pen-pals and he was
genuinely proud of the friendships he had formed all around the world.
When one of his pen-pals was going through a difficult period, he was
troubled and truly worried for them. Granville also shared in the
victories and the accomplishment of his friends. Proud for them and
proud of them.
Granville was also very proud because he had fallen in love with a
beautiful lady named Mallory. He was totally infatuated with her. He
wanted me to become acquainted with her as she was to be a big part of
his life. I am well acquainted with her now and I refer to her as my
sister-in-law. Granville's dream came true and she accept his marriage
proposal. Granville was right about her. She is a beautiful, wonderful
person. She brought much joy to his life.
Granville also wanted me to get to know his father ( he was living in
the panhandle as was my own father). I did get to know him and
his sister as well. I talk with both of them almost weekly. I have also
become close with Granville's younger brother, Levi. We now call one
another "Bubba" also and I am sure Granville would be very pleased.
I can not tell you that Granville and I always agreed or saw eye to eye
on everything. We did not. We had our arguments and disagreements just
like any other siblings. We also shared much laughter, tears, and
experiences and these were the important things. You see, Granville did
not have much in the way of material possessions. He was not allowed
much in that concentration camp my country terms as prison. However, in
involving me in the lives of his wife, his father, and his brother, he
was giving me everything that was his. His family. The one thing that
no court could take from him. This is the man I know Granville Riddle
to be.
The media has painted an inaccurate portrait of this man. Even some
well meaning friends have made Granville seem one dimensional. This was
simply not the case as there were many aspects to his life. For me he
was a brother, an irreplaceable part of my life that has been stolen
from me. A part of many other lives stolen as well. Now, maybe I have
told you nothing you did not already know. Maybe you are aware of the
truth as to the character that Granville possessed. In any case , Thank
you for taking the time to read this. For those of you who did know
Granville personally let me assure you he thought of you highly and
with great concern. I hope Granville will remain in your heart always.
Lundy
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