Dead Man Walking

In the immediate aftermath of Sonnier’s execution, Prejean and her sister Ann reel from the experience, Ann shaken from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams monitoring her every move as she said outside the prison during the execution. Prejean is occupied with the thought of Sonnier being prepared for burial, recalling that he once recounted to her his desire to become a mortician. Extending her heartfelt thanks to Millard, Prejean then prepares for Sonnier’s funeral the following day. At the same funeral home Prejean attended as a child, about 30 people gather, “half family members and half nuns” (98). Warden Maggio allows Eddie to attend, and is greeted warmly by his niece Star, but Mrs. Sonnier does not attend. After the funeral, Prejean collects Sonnier’s few possessions, which he had entrusted to her care, and she thinks about how he died in such a misleadingly neat and tidy fashion. “Nobody feels personally responsible for the death of this man” (101), and some may even feel like they helped him die with dignity.

Afterward, Prejean meets with the head of the Louisiana Department of Corrections, C. Philip Phelps, who is remarkably candid about his lack of confidence in capacity for capital punishment to deter further crimes or achieve justice.