This is a True Story on Radio 4
15.08.2008
Reprieve is delighted that This is a True Story, the play about death row prisoner Howard Neal written by Nick Harrington and Tom Wright, is to be broadcast on Radio 4 at 9pm tonight.
Howard Neal was sent to death row for the 1981 murder of his niece, 13 year old Amanda Joy Neal. He was also charged with the death of his half brother and her friend. The only evidence linking him to the murders was a confession, allegedly made to a policeman after several days of interrogation, without a lawyer present. The statement was neither written, signed nor recorded. Howard has an IQ of just 54; the mind of an eight year old child, trapped in an adult’s body. The play tracks the story of Howard’s life from his impoverished and abusive childhood in rural Mississippi, to a state institution for the “mentally retarded,” and finally to death row.
Director of Reprieve, human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith has worked with Howard’s appeal lawyers over the years. He says: “When you visit Howard Neal on death row in Mississippi, when it comes time for you to leave, Howard invariably looks up at you and plaintively demands ‘take me with you’. Right now the state is arguing in court that Howard’s IQ is not low enough for him to be spared execution. When you see this play, I have no doubt you will come to your own conclusions on this issue”
Howard’s death sentence was overturned earlier this year by the Mississippi’s courts and he was re-sentenced to life in prison; his low IQ means he cannot be executed.
To listen to the radio adaptation up to seven days after broadcast, please go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/friday_play.shtml.
“a series of monologues so arresting you have to remember to catch your breath… awesome theatre – and it matters” Time Out
“a truly virtuoso performance” The Guardian
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