Forgiving the Dead Man Walking

Rating:
Summary: To Forgive But Not Forget.
Review: As a sixteen year old victim of rape, torture, and attempted murder by Robert Willie in Louisiana, Debbie Ceuvas survived the brutality this killer used to subdue her during the kidnapping. After fifteen years of remembering the nightmarish ordeal, she was able to overcome the trauma and start speaking out.

Her appearance on the t.v. show, 'Frontline,' to tell what really happened to her as opposed to Hollywood's version of 'Dead Man Walking' proved a pivotal point in her recovery. It served as a turning point whereby she was invited to speak at conferences where other participants had endured their own form of confinement and torture.

At the Cleveland, Ohio, conference in 1997, titled "Forgiveness in a Violent Society,' she shared the platform with Beirut hostage Terry Anderson. At seminars directed by Terry Hargrave, a therapist and psychology professor from Amarillo, Texas, she learned the steps to inner healing through forgiveness: insight, understanding, remorse, compensation for past hurts, through two areas, salvage and restoration.

Though she was never mentioned in the film, her testimony led to Willie's conviction. In FORGIVE AND FORGET by Lewis Smedes, she found the section, "Forgiving Monsters" relevant to her experience. Refusing to forgive meant submerging the pain, shame, and self-pity.

Forgiveness seems so hard and you wonder, "Is it really worth it?" She learned that by forgiving that human monster, she was able to trust again -- to experience the giving and receiving of love. She married Conner Morris and is now a mother.

She writes, "People often ask how I feel about the death penalty now?" Her response: "Justice didn't do a thing to heal me. Forgiveness did." I've always been opposed to the death penalty due to the fact that so many 'criminals' on death row are there through revenge and lies.

This is the previously untold other half of "Dead Man Walking,' the movie starring Sean Penn, which depicted the death row relationship he had with spiritual advisor, Helen Prejean, author of the book, DEAD MAN WALKING. Sister Helen, though she tried to save the life of a killer, admires Debbie's refreshing honesty as she dealt with the 'traumatic aftershock and the long, painful road to become whole again.' This true story of the young woman whose testimony sent Willie to the electric chair is one of courage, faith, and forgiveness.

This book is Debbie's "walk" on an incredible journey which was life-changing. THE DAILY VARIETY describes her as 'a woman who is Prejean's equal in strength and virtue.' We are asked to contemplate, "Is there any crime, any hurt, any person beyond the power of forgiveness."

Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Story : An Incredible Woman
Review: I just recently returned from a convention of youth workers where Debbie Morris was one of our General Session speakers. To hear her story, then read it, is a powerful experience. When she spoke, there were close to 5,000 people in an exhibition hall which served as our main staging location -- as she spoke, you could have heard a feather drop in the room. Whether hearing Debbie speak, or reading her book, issues surrounding forgiveness are almost sure to surface. Please read this book for yourself, and for those in your life who need to hear this message of the power of forgivness.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Book
Review: I originally saw this book in a discount bookstore during summer 2002. I was curious and eventually red the inside flap and back cover. I was intrigued by just that much alone. Then about a year later, I finally ordered me a used copy through a private seller on Amazon. My only regret is that I didn't order this book sooner.

Debbie (Cuevas) Morris was abducted by Robert Willie and his friend. In addition, she was raped 3 times while in thier hands. Her testimony eventually lead to his death sentance, due to some previous murders he committed.

Most of what was said or reported prior to this book focused on Willie, his crimes, and his eventual execution. All too often the law enforcement officials, with help from the media, are so busy tracking down a criminal that people forget all about the victims left in their wake. I do agree that we should go after the criminals and bring them to justice. But what about those affected by their crimes?

Debbie Morris tells the whole thing from start to finish. But don't be mislead. This isn't just a true-crime book. Debbie also tells of the long and painful journey back that she had to make. She had to re-examine herself, her beliefs about criminals and the death sentence, and ultimately about her anger towards God.

Perhaps the best part about this book is how Debbie Morris tells how she came to terms with Biblical forgiveness. Everyone in the world could certainly learn many lessons on just this alone. I say this because unforgiveness will eat you alive. Debbie stresses this point too, because she said that she was still unhappy even after Rober Wille was executed. As she states in the book, justice doesn't automatically bring about forgiveness. Sure, justice should happen. But we still have to have God's help in forgiving others. Justice in and of itslef will not make us happy and live a peaceful life inside.

To Debbie Morris-thank you for writing this book. I think that your book should be a must reading for all Christians. And thank you for your strong Christian faith. To God be the glory!

Rating:
Summary: The other side of the story to Dead Man Walking
Review: If you have read Dead Man Walking, you really MUST read this book also! It is the other side of the story. Please consider reading it.

This book is written by the victim Debbie Morris. She takes you through her life (before and after the crime) and how she went on after being the victim of such a horrific ordeal. She ultimately found peace by forgiving Robert Willie. The parents of another girl that had been victimized and murdered by Robert Willie were the opposite of forgiving - they were filled with rage, hate and bitterness. The contrast between Debbie's response and their response really stood out to me. Debbie found peace and they did not...

This book also gives a different perspective on Robert Willie than the one given by Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking. Debbie portrays Willie as being the one in control. He was domineering, the leader, and heavily influenced his partner in crime Joe Vaccaro. In Prejean's book, Willie is portrayed rather the opposite!! (Should we be surprised that someone on deathrow might not honestly describe themselves?)

Overall, this is a well-written book about the power of a forgiving spirit. Please consider reading it to get both sides of the story of Dead Man Walking.


Rating:
Summary: Are you for or against the death penalty? Read this!
Review: If you saw the movie, "Dead Man Walking," please read this, the true story written by the only person alive who can give it real meaning. Debbie Morris is a woman of courage and integrity. The word "victim" is not in her vocabulary. She lived the horror. Now she lives to tell us all the truth. As her husband's uncle, and a writer myself, I am proud to hail her work as both profoud and truly insightful. Forgiveness is the only way.

Rating:
Summary: More than just a book!
Review: The author gives just enough detail to imagine it all. Her descriptive words leave you with strong feelings of sadness for what happend to her. This is a great gift for just about any occassion. I would recommend it to my friends.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Writing, Powerful Message
Review: This book is a must read for victims of violent crimes and their families. It is delivered in a very caring, warm way that endears the reader and prepares them for the horrors of the author's ordeal.

Though it is my opinion a good deal of the narrative was glossed over for the audience the book has been markets to, it is accurate and the message is more important than the prose.

This is not a book about the debate over capital punishment nor is it a treatise on religion, it's a testament to courage, faith and healing on a par by itself.

Rating:
Summary: Janice J Tucker
Review: This book is beyond outstanding! One of the best books on victimology that I have ever read! Best bring out the hankies when you read Debbie Morris' account of her tragic encounter with the dead man walking. My heart ached for her as she related her story of what it took in her life to be able to forgive Robert Willie and come to some understanding with her own fears and hate. I won't spoil it for the reader, but suffice it to say it is more than a 5 Star Performance! My prayers are with you,Debbie. You deserve a wonderful life!

Rating:
Summary: The Amazing Story
Review: This book was brilliantly written.Debbie Morris entered into my heart, with her remarkable story of courage and faith. She is a very couragous women for sharing her long journey during her traumatic experiences as she was kidnapped and rapped and her life afterward. She expressed her honest emotions of fear, and loss of dignity. She also succeeds to share how she takes her life back, with her faith. This was a very moving story witch deeply touched souls of not only one, but many readers.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book about forgiveness
Review: This book was introduced by my psych professor. I'm so glad he did. I felt like Debbie was talking to me. I've never been through anything close to her ordeal, but everyone can learn something from her forgiving heart and wonderful attitude. I know it took some time to get there, but she got there. When I finished the book, I wanted everyone I knew to read it and I wanted to read it all over again. I felt like calling Debbie and just chatting like to old friends because I felt like I knew her and that she wouldn't mind talking with me. I am in college planning to be a women's counselor and this book will always be in my library. Thanks Debbie and Mr. Whitman (psych professor).