An Open Letter to Debra Wyatt (daughter of AJ and Patsy Cantrell, who were victims of Scott Eizember in Oklahoma
In my advocacy to stop the execution of Scott Eizember, I came across an article written by Josh Dulaney in The Oklahoman on October 5, 2020 entitled, “Death Row, Oklahoma: How long could you wait for your parents’ murderer to be executed?” The article contains an extended interaction with Ms. Debra Wyatt…who is the daughter of Eizember’s victims A.J. and Patsy Cantrell. After reading the article, I was deeply moved in my spirit. Though there are comments from other family members, Ms. Wyatt’s words stood out. So, I decided to write her. Honestly, I know nothing about Ms. Wyatt. In fact, she could be unwilling or unable to read this for all I know. I hope not…I hope this letter finds Ms. Wyatt in good fortune. Obviously, I have no way of contacting her directly. So, I decided to construct this open letter responding to the words of hers that I encountered in the article. I hope they are received in the loving spirit from which they are written…and fall on open ears.
Ms. Wyatt’s thoughts/quotes from the article are italicized.
Dear Ms. Wyatt,
First and foremost, I am sorry for the murder of your parents, A.J. and Patsy Cantrell. As Southerners, I don’t know why we say that we are sorry for something that we didn’t do…but I feel like it is the only logical place to begin. Maybe a better way of saying it is that I am grieved for their murder…although that too seems misplaced because I know that your grief far outweighs any grief that I might carry. Nevertheless, I hope that you will understand that this letter is coming from a place of deep empathy.
First of all, let me introduce myself, my name is Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood. I am a Baptist minister whose career has long been focused on issues of public justice. For over a decade, I have ministered to and advocated for guys on death rows throughout our country. Such a ministry is what led me to Scott Eizember.
Since we can’t communicate directly, I can only respond to the things you said in the article. It is my hope to communicate with you as a fellow seeker of God.
“Oh, he’s got a beard now,” she said. “His eyes are blank, like there’s no soul behind them.”
I was struck…perhaps even surprised…by your first quoted statements about Eizember. While I am by no means an expert on judging souls…surely only God has such expertise…I can say that my experiences of Eizember have been the exact opposite. Our relationship has been one of mutual respect and encouragement based around curious conversations about spirituality and life. Honestly, I have found his soul to be very much intact. While by no means a perfect man…not even close actually…Eizember is…like all of us…a child of God
Struggling with multiple sclerosis, she is just a few years younger than her mother was when she was murdered. Wyatt wants to live long enough to gather with relatives and watch her parents’ killer die by execution.
I’m sorry that your health has not been ideal. While thoughts and prayers seem fleeting in such times, please know that mine are with you. It makes me sad that the execution of Eizember is something that you live for. I couldn’t be in a more different position. The potential that Eizember might be executed pains me greatly. In fact, if Eizember is executed I will experience grief similar (though certainly not the same) to what you experienced. When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as we love our selves…I just don’t feel like killings/executions are an exception to the rule. I hope that you will consider that there are those that love Eizember and desire for him to live.
“People ask, ‘how do you get up in the morning after all you’ve been through?’” Wyatt said. “What’s the alternative? It becomes all about the killer after a while. To make it exciting or whatever. But it’s something we have to live with every day. And I’m not gonna lie. There’s been times I didn’t want to wake up in the morning.”
To be honest, I’m not writing for Eizember…as I have great faith that he is in God’s hands. I’m writing to speak directly to you. Your pain is visceral. There is no doubt about that. Though I can’t alleviate any pain that you’re going through…I do know that the execution of Eizember is not going to add to your healing. Jesus heals by giving life…not by taking life.
The purpose of this letter isn’t a lecture…it’s an invitation…an invitation to advocate for life. At Eizember’s clemency hearing on December 7, 2022, you will have the opportunity to stand before the Oklahoma Board of Pardon and Parole and choose life. Though I’m not sure if it will be enough to save Eizember’s life, I do know that it will be enough to give you a fuller life…the message of Jesus is always one of life.
Regardless of your choice, I do pray for God’s strength for you and your family in the difficult days that are ahead.
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood
Spiritual Advisor, Scott Eizember
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