Former death row inmate Cook to speak at RoH
A prison cell much like this one was home for convicted murderer Kerry Max Cook, accused of killing a girl in Texas; however, he was released two decades later when new evidence was introduced. Cook will share his story of perseverance and faith at the annual Rainbow of Hope event on Friday, July 21 in Mt. Hope.
Imagine being sent to prison for a crime you hadn’t committed.
Now imagine you would spend more than two decades wasting away in a tiny cell, knowing you had done nothing wrong but were being sentenced regardless.
Finally, imagine the anguish and heartache that would certainly lead to a lifetime of bitterness once you were released after new evidence freed you.
That was the plight of Kerry Max Cook, an American former death row inmate who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Linda Jo Edwards in 1977.
On Friday, July 21 at the annual Rainbow of Hope Benefit Auction at the Mt. Hope Event Center, the two days of providing funds for children in need of financial support due to mounting medical expenses will include a fish fry, barbecued chicken, plenty of other food, a bake sale and the auctioneer contest starting at 5 p.m.
While all of that is taking place, Cook will take center stage to share his story.
At 7:30 p.m. Cook will discuss his life’s journey and how faith helped him overcome all of the negativity to become an advocate for others who share similar experiences.
“It would definitely be easy to be bitter and angry after going through an experience like he did, but his story is filled with faith and hope,” said Eddie Schlabach, RoH president. “His story could have been so different, but he chose to forgive.”
Schlabach said in a conference call, Cook asked him if he would be able to share his story and the faith that brought him to where he is today.
“He asked if the community would be open to him sharing his faith because there are many venues that don’t allow him to because it offends people,” Schlabach said. “I told him that with the crowd we have, you would offend them if you did not share that aspect of your story. He was so excited about that and said he couldn’t wait to come speak.”
Cook served more than two decades in a Texas prison while awaiting his death sentence. However, new evidence was brought forward that freed Cook. He then had a choice to make; he could be bitter and angry at the world or forgive and make a positive impact. He chose the latter.
Since his release he has become an activist against the death penalty, speaking across the United States and in Europe.
Cook wrote “Chasing Justice,” which was published in 2008, a book that details his conviction, the widespread prosecutorial abuses that led to it and the battle to prove his innocence. “Chasing Justice” was nominated for the Edgar Award presented by Mystery Writers of America.
In an advance blurb for the memoir, former FBI Director and Federal Judge William S. Sessions wrote, “Kerry Max Cook has written a brutal but compelling account of his 22 years on Texas’ death row for a murder he did not commit. The book depicts his struggles against all odds to free himself from an inept justice system that would not let go, despite mounting and eventually overwhelming evidence of his innocence. What is perhaps most amazing is the grace with which he now lives his life as a free man, determined to prevent others from suffering the horrors he endured.”
Although Cook is out of prison and has never admitted guilt, he is still considered a convicted murderer in the eyes of Texas law, which adversely affects his daily life.
Cook and his lawyer Marc McPeak have embarked on a new legal endeavor to clear his name: a motion to perform DNA tests on physical evidence found at the murder scene. Cook’s battle to clear his name has been taken up by the online petition site Change.org.
Saturday will bring plenty to do at the auction including a full-course breakfast that will begin at 6 a.m.
The auction will begin at 8:30 a.m., eventually churning its way to the furniture and quilt auction at 9 a.m.
Bedroom suites, a flat wall hutch, rolltop desks, desks, coffee tables, cedar chests, corner cupboards, a dry sink, clocks and numerous other items will be on sale.
In addition, there will be more than 70 large quilts with an array of colors and patterns, as well as Afghans, crib quilts and wall hangings. In a separate ring at 9 a.m., there will be a miscellaneous items auction.
At 10 a.m. the livestock sale will include dairy heifers, sheep and more. Then at noon the specialty items will roll across the stage with a Studebaker Jr. wagon, Rainbow of Hope commemorative items and more.
The lawn furniture sale will start at 1 p.m. with plenty of porch swings, gliders, a storage barn, gazebo and a heavy dose of poly outdoor furniture.
Mt. Hope Event Center is located at 8076 state Route 241 in Mt. Hope.