Anthony Ray Hinton

My only crime was being born black - or being born black in Alabama.

I believe in laughter. I believe laughter is good for the soul. I believe in making other people laugh to make them feel good.

I often say that if I had one wish in this world, I would wish that every child could have a mother the way my mother were. And I never went without clothes, I never went without food... I never went without anything that a child needs. But above all of that, she gave me unconditional love.

I want people to realize that we can teach hate, but we also can teach love.

Bitterness kills the soul.

I never used a gun in my life.

Henry Hays was cheated all his life. He was cheated by his father who taught him to hate. His community taught him to hate. My mom told me, no matter what one does in life, he or she deserves some compassion, and I knew Hays deserved compassion more than anybody.

Black, poor, without a father most of my life, one of 10 children - it was actually pretty amazing I had made it to the age of 29 without a noose around my neck.

A white man of authority don't ever want to admit to someone of colour they was wrong.

I was born with a mother who loved me unconditionally and with a sense of humor.

Death row prisoners face enormous challenges in finding lawyers who will assist them.

The state of Alabama can take my freedom, the state of Alabama can take my future, but the state of Alabama cannot take my joy.