How Texas Sent an Innocent Black Man to Death Row | Anthony Graves’ Shocking Story
Imagine being taken from your home, accused of a brutal crime you didn’t commit, and sentenced to die—all without a shred of evidence. This is the unimaginable reality Anthony Graves faced.
In this powerful third part of our exclusive interview, Anthony shares the harrowing moments of his sentencing, the pain of hearing his family testify to save his life, and the shocking racism that infiltrated the justice system. He also reveals chilling details about life on death row: the daily fight to survive, the heat that killed inmates, and the humanity stripped from those condemned to die.
Anthony’s story is a searing indictment of a broken system—and a reminder of the strength it takes to survive against all odds.
Don’t forget to subscribe for the final part of Anthony’s story, where a shocking twist will leave you speechless.
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Sentencing and Death Sentence
Anthony’s attorneys urge him to let his family testify to save his life, but he resists, seeing the trial as a farce. His mother describes him as the family’s strength, his sister explains how he helped her, and his sick son pleads for his father’s life. Despite this, the jury sentences him to death within 90 minutes, with no evidence. He condemns the jury for nearly murdering an innocent man.
Psychiatrist’s Biased Testimony
Dr. Walter Quijano testifies that Anthony is a future danger simply because he was convicted. Years later, Quijano is exposed for giving racially biased testimony in multiple death penalty cases.
Life on Death Row
Anthony arrives in 1994 at 29 years old. At first, he isolates himself, believing he doesn’t belong there. Over time, he realizes many inmates are human beings who made mistakes, had poor legal defense, or were mentally ill. He watches more than 400 executions.
Drugs, sex, and money circulate in prison. Female officers and inmates form relationships, and some men prey on weaker inmates, including cases of rape.
He makes friendships, and many inmates choose him to say goodbye before their executions. Some are relieved to die, too exhausted to keep fighting. On execution days, the prison is silent, and many inmates refuse meals in protest.
Extreme Heat and Son’s Stroke
Texas summers make the cells unbearably hot, sometimes 20 degrees hotter than outside. Anthony and others strip naked and pour water on the floor, but it quickly becomes boiling hot. He witnesses a man die of heatstroke.
His mother writes to tell him his eldest son, who has sickle cell anemia, had a stroke and was in a coma. The boy miraculously wakes up on the day doctors planned to declare him dead. Anthony is allowed to call his mother and learns that his son is recovering.
Encounter with Robert Carter
Years later, Anthony is placed in the same recreation group as Robert Carter, the man whose false testimony put him on death row. Carter apologizes, admitting he lied and tried to tell the truth. Anthony forgives him—not for Carter’s sake, but for his own peace of mind. Carter is executed in 2000.
Carter’s Dying Words
Before his execution, Carter uses his final words to declare Anthony’s innocence. Despite this, it takes nearly 10 more years for Anthony to be freed.
The Overturning of His Conviction
In 2006, a guard hands Anthony a note from another inmate. Assuming it’s bad news, he opens it to find out the Fifth Circuit Court has overturned his conviction. He wants to celebrate but stays silent out of respect for those still sentenced to die. Instead, he lies on his bunk, crying in relief.
Realizing he has been given a second chance, he commits himself to exposing the injustices of the system and making sure his story is never forgotten.
