Mid-Missouri
Fellowship of
Reconciliation

P.O. Box 268
Columbia, Missouri
65205
573-449-4585
email: jstack@coin.org

Just a Moment…for Stanley L. Hall

It can happen in less than a minute. Something that can change the life of so many people. Sometimes it can be good; most times it’s not. What a person does with a negative change has to come from deep within that person. Those changes are what defined the man Stanley Lamont Hall became. He entered the world too early and left it too early. Being born premature effected Stan’s ability to learn. School AND his classmates were difficult to deal with.

Wanting those things other kids had and to be accepted, are what drove Stan to the streets. Looking for some type of acceptance. In that situation, Stan stopped viewing things with the same values he was taught growing up. That’s how he went from being a person who would help his neighbor, every day for years with her handicapped son, to getting his personal goals twisted. The focus was on the immediate rewards, not the long-term consequences. Therefore the Death Penalty really doesn’t deter most. At that moment, the possible penalties for a person’s actions are not even a thought. It didn’t matter if it was a blood relative or his street family; loyalty was always regarded as a high priority to Stan. It was what led him to be in the prison system. He was an angry young man when he entered. He spent years watching the same things lead other young men through the doors of prison.

Stan reached deep inside for the ability to start making a difference in peoples lives. His focus was young people who still had the chance to make different decisions concerning how their lives turned out. His religious beliefs played an important role. He was able to combined those beliefs, to develop into the strong man who left this earth in March 2005. Over the past six years, Stan became a strong presence in the Youth Enlightenment Program. He received several types of recognition. Not only from the Department of Correction, but also from the communities and agencies that brought young adults to the prison. The goal of the program was to help open their eyes to the reality of where their lives were headed. Unless they made some real changes, this is where they were going to end up.

The family of Stan’s victim believes that he didn’t show remorse or apologize for his actions until his execution date was set. If they talked to even one of those kids who met Stan, they would let the family know how truly and deeply sorry he was. How his actions affected everyone in both families. Not a day went past in the last eleven years that he didn’t think about the lives he changed, being involved in the most negative way in the death of another human being. Hoping that he could help change the attitude and views of even one person.

I believe the reason that he impacted so many young people, was because his life paralleled theirs. He could relate to what they were feeling. Therefore he was able to really get them to listen to his own life’s downfalls. He also inspired hope. Letting them know they didn’t have to follow the same path that he had followed. A lot of times these young people are waiting for someone to take a true interest in their confusion and pain. Stan offered them friendship and support. He helped open up lines of communication between him, their parents and themselves. Numerous parents would keep in contact with him. Letting him know how their kids were honestly trying to turn their lives around because of his influence. They could see the man he had become, despite the circumstances he lived with everyday, due to his actions.

Stan’s help wasn’t limited to just young adults from the outside. He did what he could to inspire those in the system also. To take every advantage life had to offer, once they were released. He encouraged them to start making all the right choices, so they wouldn’t be returned to the prison system.

Stan had a tremendous love for his family. Cousin, aunts, uncles, brothers, wife but especially for his mother. She was his First Lady, his Black Beauty, and his Afrikaan Queen. He knew what his actions eleven years ago did to her spirit. He always made sure she knew how much he loved her. His cards, letters, and spoken words showed his true feelings. He was sincere in his apologies for the drama and stress his situation put on her. I’m sure it is one of the reasons he was able to connect with so many young people. The Mother figure is whom they draw their strength to survive from. One of the things that made him a strong man was having her for a strong mother. I don’t think he realized his strength is what made us stronger. His strength inspired words used at his homegoing.

A Soldier’s Walk

I came from a Soldier, beautiful and proud
She taught me strength, gave unconditional love and to hold my head up in any crowd.
Some years were tough, the path I chose was dark,
As I matured and grew, the greatest change began to spark.
Igniting into a true fire, to make ALL my life right,
to share myself unselfishly, to become “Others” guiding light.
The path I walk now, has truly set me free,
One day I know, you will ALL be here with Me.
“If you’re up, I’m up” I told many of you here.
Today, I’m ALL the way up, so it’s OK to dry your tears

Even the last moments of Stan’s life were spent trying to instill these beliefs in his family and friends. During his last hours, he spoke to several people whose lives he had touched. One of these he called his brother. Receiving his call in the late morning, allowed Stan’s spirit to soar for the biggest part of the day. They discussed moments they had shared over the years. How each had become a better man because of the bond between them. In spirit and love they will always be together.

Another was a group of basketball players from MU. They had the privilege of experiencing his talents on the court first hand. But it was his talents off the court that had made the biggest impression on them all. I thank them for keeping his spirits uplifted at the time when it could have been at it’s lowest. One right after the other, including the coach, they called to let him know they hadn’t forgot the true man he was and will always be.

Some of you may be wondering about the person who had such an insight to write these words about an outstanding man. I met Stan more than two years ago. He was doing what Stan did best. He contacted me regarding my Stepson who I had lost contact with. I could sense during that first phone call that he was someone special. I wouldn’t let him off the phone until I was sure he would call back. At first Stan wanted to stay focused on the original reason he had called. The more times we talked our hearts and souls melted together. We hoped what we had found was real. Stan always kept “US” in mind whenever he had decisions to make. He let me know his situation and circumstances from the very start. Occasionally he would ask me if this relationship is truly what I wanted to be involved in. my answer was always yes.

On March 4, 2005 we became Husband and Wife. On March 16th the state killed him. We were Soul mates and knowing Stan was a rare gift.

Words of Advise and Insight

The parole board interviewed Stan and went through his institution records, then recommended Life without Parole. This would have allowed Stan to continue making a difference here. I believe the Parole Board should have more say, then just a recommendation to the Governor. There won’t ever be an instance where the Offender will ever get a fair opportunity for Clemency with a Governor who has already shown that he puts himself above GOD. He was given an option, which strongly suggested that the Death Sentence of Stanley Hall be converted to Life without Parole. In his haste to ignore that recommendation, Governor Blunt made an unspoken statement. That it isn’t going to matter what was discovered about how that person had changed, he is never going to change the outcome. In his form letter he sent back to those who wrote on Stan’s behalf, the wording lets you know he is not open-minded about this in the least.

To the Families of Death Row Inmates

Stay on top of the Lawyers. They need to MAKE time to inquire, investigate, consider and question all possible aspects of Appeal. They need to do this before time for a reversal runs too short to make a difference.