Today Victoria Ann Thorpe, of Spokane, began a 17 ½ day journey across Southern California — one day for each year that her sister , Kerry Lyn Dalton, has survived on California’s death row.
“My purpose for this walk is to honor Kerry’s life and bring public awareness to her wrongful conviction,” said Thorpe, author “Cages.”
In “Cages” Thorpe explains that her sister was sentenced to death for torture-murder on hearsay. There was no crime scene. No evidence. No dead body.
Thorpe began her on-foot trek in Chowchilla, Calif., where her sister is living. The journey will end Nov. 1, when Thorpe will arrive at the San Diego Superior Court House steps to deliver a supplication to re-hear Kerry's case and/or drop her wrongful conviction altogether, according to Thorpe.
The journey will be part drive, part walk, with Thorpe covering over 200 miles on foot. She said she will make one stop each day to, “share the reality of this country’s failed death penalty system, as well as sharing her and Kerry’s personal story.”
“The timing is perfect right now since California will be voting Nov. 6 on Prop. 34 to repeal the death penalty,” Thorpe said. “The Safe & Just Alternatives campaign in Washington State is also working toward that goal, and both campaigns are backing my walk for Kerry.”
She said if California votes to abolish the death penalty, she hopes Washington and other states will follow suit.
Though Thorpe is walking alone, she invites anyone who is interested in these issues to walk alongside her for all or part of the trip.
For updates on Thorpe's journey visit her blog.
