Students in Jack Paulishen’s Civics and Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics classes assembled in the Hillhouse Library on Thursday to hear the remarkable story of Juan Melendez, a man who spent over seventeen years on Florida’s death row for a murder he did not commit.
Mr. Melendez, 58, spoke of his wrongful conviction for a murder in Florida. In his trial, the jury was chosen on a Monday and Tuesday. The jury heard evidence on Wednesday, convicted him on Thursday and sentenced him to death on that Friday. There was no physical evidence that proved Melendez committed the murder, only testimony from a paid informant who spoke against Melendez to escape his own sentence for first-degree murder. There were witnesses to support his alibi but the court found this evidence inadmissible.
“After the conviction, I was filled with hatred” stated Melendez during his speech at Hillhouse Thursday. He was disappointed that there was not a thorough investigation, which would prove his innocence. This caused him to be angry with the ones who did not support his innocence.
Seventeen years, eight months and one day after his conviction, Melendez was unexpectedly released from prison when a tape and transcript of the confession of the real killer was found. “I was in a state of shock, but smiling” explained Melendez as he spoke about the day he was set free. Coincidentally Melendez suggests that his wrongful incarceration set him on a straight path, which led him to exile drugs and alcohol from his life.
After the speech had been concluded, Hillhouse student Kanika Derrick stated “I found Melendez to be such a captivating speaker. He kept me intrigued throughout his talk. He made me realized that the death penalty is contradicting, and that there are others ways for convicts to be handled.”
Hillhouse Senior Asia Dixon spoke about her opinions on the death penalty. “After hearing Melendez speak it definitely made me rethink my opinions about whether the death penalty should be abolished. I wonder about the decisions that are being made in the Hayes trial.” Having heard Melendez speak about his personal experiences and his reason he believes the death penalty should be abolished, like Asia, many other Hillhouse students now question their opinions of the death penalty.
When asked about why he brought Mr. Melendez to speak to his students, Paulishen stated, “I try to do everything I can to make my classes relevant. With the Connecticut legislature voting to abolish the death penalty a few years ago, and the trial currently underway downtown, this speaker certainly qualifies as relevant.”
Corrine Sterling is a member of the Hillhouse Class of 2011.
Jack Paulishen is an excellent teacher who always presents issues of relevance in his civics classes. His students learn the textbook facts but are always afforded opportunities to put those lessons to practical use. He was the first to hold informal talks about a proposed city curfew with his students. He has also taken students to Washington D.C. for years. His class coverage of the Obama election and eventual trip to D.C. was an experience the seniors of the class of 2009 will never forget!