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Tan Mackay contacted Home Truths after hearing the interview with Moira Monteith who wrote to John on Death Row in Trinidad. Tan has a friend on Death Row in the Polunsky Unit, Texas. She is about to leave the UK to visit Robert, possibly for the last time.
 Tan Mackay |
Tan has been corresponding with Robert for over four years. She sees her role as giver of support for what lies ahead.
It hurt when Tan found out that Robert was guilty of the crime. When he admitted his guilt, he wrote to the father of his victim and received forgiveness. Tan says he now feels "free to go".
Robert has been given an execution date of 23 April and he has asked Tan to be a witness. A last ditch appeal may be successful because Robert, now in his 40s, has a history of learning difficulties, but she senses his frustration and terror.
The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is not optimistic about his chances of success. And history is not on Robert's side as the State of Texas carries out a high percentage of executions.
Tan has now left for Texas in the hope that Robert may yet get a stay of execution. But if not, Tan will have 2 days to prepare herself. As witness to an execution, she is required to be present for the whole thing. Tan says if she has to watch Robert's execution, "I don't think my life will ever be the same again, but perhaps I will be able to help others better".
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