[Susan Zahn]

The Road between Hollywood and Heaven just got shorter.

A petite woman with bright eyes and a warm smile, Karla Faye Tucker managed to focus attention on women, the death penalty and whether a repentant murderer deserves mercy. It was her conversion to Christianity and her prison ministering that led people from around the world to ask that her life be spared.

Tucker started using drugs when she was 8 years old. She turned to prostitution at 13. And by the time she turned 23 had killed two people with a pickax in Houston, Texas .

"This is the story you haven't heard", exclaims Helen. "There was this tremendous love story between Karla and prison minister Dana Brown that the world has yet to hear about, both Karla and Dana had a passion to serve God that's what drew them together, death row just happened to be the setting."

Some insiders predict a wave of New Testament- themed movies or uplifting films in general as a result of "The Passion of the Christ' box office success.

"Will there really be scriptural pictures - Old Testament, New Testament?" asked Peter Guber, a producer who formerly ran Sony Pictures Entertainment. "The answer seemingly is probably so."

That is 'good news' for Helen's production company Pulling Gs with two biblical features in development and a feature film looking for a distribution partner.

[Hank Rearden]

"Pick Axe Killer" says it all. I have no problem with her being wormfood, and no interest in any movie about it.

Whether she's in Hell or not, she's gone from here - which is good.

[TheBigB]

Oh, she had such a warm smile. She couldn't have killed people with an axe.

Wait, she did. Never mind.

[Prime Choice]

If my memory is correct, this is the woman who murdered another person in cold blood by stabbing her to death as her victim begged for a swift death.

I trust the Good Lord to accurately judge her conversion. For my own part, I found her sincerity wanting.

[dfwgator]

Will they also make a movie about the mentally retarded guy that was executed in Arkansas under Clinton's watch?

[canalabamian]

I'm sure this will somehow be used as an anti-Bush propaganda piece since he was Governor and wasn't affraid to carry out her sentence.

[Paleo Conservative]

They left out the part about how she had orgasms while comitting those murders.

[Prime Choice]

A summary of the case.

In 1984, Tucker was convicted of the brutal murders of her ex-lover, Jerry Lynn Dean, and his companion, Deborah Thornton and sentenced to the death penalty. During her trial, Tucker admitted that on June 13, 1983, she and her boyfriend at the time, Daniel Ryan Garrett, took a pickax and hacked Dean and Thornton to death while they were sleeping. (Garrett was also convicted of murder and sentenced to the death penalty. However, he died of liver disease while in prison in 1994.)

At the murder scene, investigators found the pickax still embedded in Thornton's chest. Tucker even boasted at her trial that she experienced an orgasm each time she plunged the ax down upon her victims. Back then, Tucker was a drug addict and prostitute who seemed unrepentant, and even proud, of her actions.

In various pleas to save her life, Tucker's supporters and lawyer claimed that Tucker, 38, was not the same woman who committed those brutal murders nearly 15 years ago. She was a born-again Christian, and with her "girl-next-door" attractiveness, sometimes it may seem hard to believe that she could have committed such gruesome murders. But Tucker and her lawyer, David Botsford, freely admitted her guilt. Because of her conversion to Christianity, apparent rehabilitation and virtually spotless disciplinary record while in prison, Botsford and other supporters believed that Tucker should be spared the death penalty. Tucker's detractors said that religious conversions for inmates are common and are not a legitimate basis for a pardon from the death penalty.

Curiously enough, every report I found on this case always referred to this murderer's beauty and "girl next door" attractiveness. So, in a nutshell, I believe it's fair to say that if this woman had been ugly as the south end of a northbound mule, this story would not have legs...irrespective of her alleged conversion and repentance.

[Ichneumon]

New movie based on a true story that rocked the world of capital punishment

When I saw this thread title, I thought it might be another "Passion" thread...

[weegee]

It will probably win some actress another Oscar before the film is even cast.

[Ichneumon]

Karla Faye Tucker managed to focus attention on women, the death penalty and whether a repentant murderer deserves mercy.

God may forgive, but Texas doesn't.

For what it's worth, a friend of mine once lived in the apartment complex where Tucker's murders took place, and she pointed out to me the actual unit it happened in. I've also seen the house where the Texas homeowner shot the drunk Scotsman who was acting like a burglar (but apparently wasn't), setting off an international incident and an anti-gun hysterical crusade.

And no, I have no idea why my Texas sightseeing ends up like this.

[weegee]

Houston PING

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

The New Testament on capital punishment couldn't be clearer:

Luke 23:
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Attempting to escape rather than embrace punishment is proof of lack of genuine conversion. And conversion does not obviate punishment at all.

[cupcakes]

I'm sure as a Christian she remembers the words of a thief on the cross about to die when talking to Jesus who said "we deserve this punishment"(paraphrased). It is lovely that Karla converted and it is a shame someone could not reach her sooner, but if her conversion is real, one would expect her to echo the words of that thief on the cross, that her punishment is just and ask for God's mercy at the gates of Heaven.

[GailA]

As the parent of a murdered child I would encourage ALL to boycott these types of films. It only encourages holywierd to produce more of them to glorify cold blooded killers.

Where are the movies about the anguish of the Victim's survivors? I don't see holywierd rushing to make them. Of course they don't, movies about the anguish of homicide victims surviors won't sell movies they would be to BORING. There is no profit in recording our sleepless nights, our tears, our 100 or more treks to the court house only to have the case postponed yet again, or the 200 or more trips to the court house if the case is appealed. OR the parole hearing fights. I fought 6 of them. Now my son's killer walks the streets because he's maxed out his good behavior and the state of TN has turned him loose to prey on another person.

No there is no profit in holywierd for our pain.

It also enriches the pockets of the stars who in turn give that money to moveon.org, hanoi john, clintoon's and RATS.

TUNE OUT, TURN OFF, HIT THEM IN THEIR WALLETS.

[sgtbono2002]

Kinda makes you wonder if she would have been a Christian if she werent on death row. She would probably still be seeking orgasms by sticking a pick in other people. I dont miss her, wont be seeing the movie , and wish other Govermors the courage of GWB to let the juries decide what is right.When 12 Americans decide someone should die thats good enough for me.

[The Great RJ]

Perhaps Madonna should have the starring role. Her twisted mind could relate to having orgasms while killing people. That was probably a theme in at least one of her music videos.

[Drawsing]

To reiterate what has been said here. Becoming a Christian does not absolve her from our (what I believe to be) God-ordained civil punishment. She needed to be removed from our society permanently and she was. I will rejoice if I see her in heaven, but I would hide the kids if I saw her walking around free on earth.

[greasepaint]

the discussion point should be,
why didn't Ann Richards and the Democrats
fix this when they had the chance...
but of course, the stupid party
is stupid.

[Alouette]

Starring Charlize Theron?

[man of Yosemite]

The wonderful thing about salvation is that very sinful, offensive and disturbed individuals can be transformed by coming into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. However, this does not clear the books on the social crimes that they have committed. She deserved the death penalty and entered her reward as someone saved by faith in Christ. The end of those who know not Christ is more tragic than hers.