The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life, Freedom, and Justice

This book should be required reading for all law students. Truth matters. Justice matters. All human life matters, and finally love will always conquer hate. These are some of the messages Ray Hinton so honestly illustrates. This is a fantastic, yet sad, read.

I love that Ray stood for honesty his whole life and never backed down. True grit. He found the true meaning of life in a small cell on death row. He had devoted mother and life long friend gave him unconditional love. He exercised faith in God and kept going. He recognized his answer to prayer and followed that with faith and acted on that prompting. His teachings are priceless. Never lose faith.Truly remarkable story and I look forward to meeting him in this life or the next. God bless

“My only crime was…being born black in Alabama.”“I wanted to know that somewhere, somehow, there was a place where the sun shined and death didn’t come for you at midnight and put a bag over your head.”“I was born with the same gift from God we are all born with—the impulse to reach out and lessen the suffering of another human being.”“I was afraid every single day on death row. And I also found a way to find joy every single day. I learned that fear and joy are both a choice.”“I try not to ask, ‘Why me?’ That’s a selfish question. Why anyone? Why do we judge some people less worthy of justice? Why does innocence have a price?”This is the story of Anthony Ray Hinton, who served 28 years on death row for crimes he didn’t commit. It is infuriating, heartbreaking, and illuminating.Hinton tells his story with humor, humility, and wisdom. It’s tough to read but is filled with displays of extraordinary love, between Hinton and his faith-filled mother as well as his best friend, Lester, who never fails to make the weekly visit, year after year.In addition to shining a light on the horrific conditions of the prison system, Hinton shares about how he formed a family with the most unlikely men. He learned to escape into his imagination during traumatic experiences and realized he could give the others a taste of this sanctuary by starting a book club. Books had never been allowed on death row, but Hinton leveraged his rapport with the guards in order to make it happen.When Bryan Stevenson (whom Hinton refers to as “God’s best lawyer”) of “Just Mercy” enters into the story, everything changes. Hinton has the rare gift of making visible the worst of injustices while inspiring us to believe that reform is possible.

I had to read this book for college and it was pretty good. After like half way, I started getting bored bc it was kinda redundant BUT a great story. I recommend for a personal read.

After reading this book I just purchased a kindle book for each of my adult children. While I know it isn't subject matter that would normally appeal to them I asked them to take half an hour and give it a few chapters. Over the past several years I've become increasingly passionate about this issue. The book is the story of Anthony Ray Hinton, a poor black man in Birmingham who was railroaded and wrongfully convicted of multiple homicides. Despite having an airtight alibi he was convicted and then the judge over-ruled the juries recommendation of life without parole and sentenced him to death in Alabama's electric chair! Hinton spent almost 30 years of his life locked up in a 5 x 7 cell with a death sentence hanging over his head, all for crimes he was absolutely innocent of. I can think of few things more horrifying.Recently, when I served on jury duty I answered the prosecutor's question that "yes, I am a fervent supporter of law enforcement, but you should also know that every month I send money to The Innocence Project." He sputtered a little and asked if I didn't see that as a conflict. I replied that not only do I not see a conflict, I feel it is my civic duty. Our justice system, despite it's intentions, doesn't always get it right. And when it doesn't there are precious few resources available to uncover and right the wrong. It's an adversarial system where all too often the search for truth and justice is overshadowed by personal ambition and the desire to win. This is not only an important book, but also beautifully written. It's story is hard to read at times, but ultimately a story of triumph and hope. Please give it a look. And if you have an extra couple of bucks, The Innocence Project could sure put them to good use.

Amazing book sad to know that these things still happen in our world todayDefinitely worth the time to read

I can’t recommend highly enough. This book is literally life changing! Essentially an autobiographical account of a miscarriage of justice. The author spent 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. He is not bitter and writes with humanity. He and this book are inspirational.

I have read this book within less than a day and feel it will have a lasting impact. I will definitely recommend it to my friends and family. Ray (I am going to call him that as he introduces himself like this) masters to describe horrible things in a very gentle way. For me this a great call to action and incredible inspiration.

"L’Etat d’Alabama avait l’intention de me tuer pour un crime que je n’ai pas commis. Ils se moquaient de savoir si je l’avais fait. Ils se souciaient uniquement de la couleur de ma peau”. Comme le procureur l’a dit “même si nous n’avons pas eu le bon, nous en avons au moins eu un dans la rue”..Comment peut-on arriver à pardonner d’avoir été condamné à mort à 28 ans pour un double crime non commis, sans aucune preuve, après être passer au détecteur de mensonges et en ayant un alibi ? d’être resté dans le couloir de la mort pendant 30 ans avant d’être libéré ?Incompréhension, rage et désespoir sont la trame de cet émouvant récit dans lequel l’auteur révèle les injustices du système judiciaire américain sur fond de racisme en Alabama. Anthony Ray Hinton n’a jamais cessé de croire qu’il sortirait un jour..Depuis 1973 aux USA, plus de 160 personnes ont été libérées du couloir de la mort grâce aux preuves de leur innocence. Entre 1973 et 1999, il y a eu en moyenne 3 libérations par an. Entre 2000 et 2011, il y a eu environ 5 libérations par an.Sources: deathpenaltyinfo.org

Anthony Ray Hinton is an extrodinary human being. His story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. His compassion and respect for his fellow inmates is inspiring. The fact that he was able to endure 30 years on death row with humour and belief in redemption is incredible. This is one of the best books I have ever read and recommend it to everyone.

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