She was everything to me.. Anderson was struck by the range of responses he heard from the men. The couple planned to rob her grandparents but it went wrong and the young man, 27-year-old Zhang Peng, ended up killing them both. There was a young man and his girlfriend who killed the girls grandparents for financial gain, a woman convicted of murdering her husband, and an 18-year-old murderer, one of the youngest people to be sentenced to death. "I think the purpose of this was more to talk to us, the American people, having a dialogue with ourselves about a crucial issue," he says. "The pain and shame of that made me believe that we can do better," Stevenson says. "I had never come close to a gay man, so I really couldn't accept some of his practices, words and deeds," Ding told the BBC. The 40-million fans who have been faithfully tuning into China's death row reality show, "Interviews Before Execution" may have watched the last episode without knowing it. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The New York Times notes that the exact number of yearly executions in China remains a state secret, though Amnesty International and other groups estimate the country as the leading executioner in the world. Joseph also showed signs of anger and aggression before the murder, like in September 2007, when he swatted a school administrator with a dustpan. First published on March 6, 2016 / 6:39 PM. [1] During the time the series was on air Ding Yu interviewed 226 inmates,[2] including a homosexual man convicted of the murder of his mother, a young man and his girlfriend who killed the girl's grandparents for financial gain, a woman convicted of the murder of her husband, and an 18-year-old who was one of the youngest people to be sentenced to death. The BBC and PBS International have picked up rights to the documentary, "Dead Men Talking," according to the New York Times, which details the show's explosive popularity. And we hope to go to heaven. Stevenson found the observation both profound and tragic. In fact, she claims her program gave prisoners an opportunity to talk about their lives, confess their secrets, and unburden themselves. Next post: Thought You Had A Scary Halloween Costume? "It means, 'If the case is fit for lenient treatment, give it lenience,' and, 'If the case should be strictly treated, give it a strict punishment,'" he says. The Bao Rongting episodes of Interviews Before Execution were a huge ratings success. More people have said, What can I do to help you? As none other than Albert Camus pointed out (in Reflections on the Guillotine), if you argue for the death penalty because of its deterrent effects, its a contradiction to conduct the executions and everything surrounding them far from public view, as is done in the United States. One of her highest-rated episodes dealt with a man who murdered his mother. These contributions were fundamental for the . The execution will be Florida's first of the year and its first since 2019. The Basiji member, who is married with children, spoke soon after his release by the Iranian authorities from detention. In the weeks, days or even minutes before they are executed, presenter Ding Yu goes into prisons and talks to those condemned to die. Testing any IT project on time helps you to save your money for the long term. Ding visited the prison with Wu Yanyan's daughter for an emotional reunion. Daughter, your daddy is sorry, he says. Can we get you stamps to mail your last letter?'" Subscribe to Our Life: https://bit.ly/3dBMxvlSusanna Reid travels to Texas, home of the most active death chamber in the United States, to meet the notorious Death Row inmate Billie Wayne Coble in the countdown to his scheduled execution. Since the death sentence for criminals is itself a violent act, then we should abolish it. You can give her a message if you want, says Yu. [3] To Western eyes the show's format may seem exploitative, but Ding disagrees. Not only did the show shine a spotlight on a part of China few people ever get to see, but it shined a spotlight on a part of humanity few people ever get to see. The program included interviews with triumphant police officers and images of the condemned men in shackles. On 12 March the BBC reported that Chinese authorities had cancelled the programme as a result of the documentary and the international attention it had attracted. In China, 55 crimes carry the death penalty, from murder, treason and armed rebellion to bribery and smuggling. "I was back there with him right before the execution, and he was saying to me, 'All day long, people have been saying, What can I do to help you? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The video above was produced by Ann Silvio and Lisa Orlando, and edited by Lisa Orlando. The aim of Interviews Before Execution, the programme-makers say, was to find cases that would serve as a warning to others. Chinas Re-education Camps, Version 2.0. "We are not setting out to say the death penalty is good, the death penalty is bad. As a part of the reality show, journalist Ding Yu would interview a person on death row every week in almost cruel detail. Presented by journalist Ding Yu the programme featured interviews with people convicted in cases of violent murde The documentary also aired in CI Network Southeast Asia. Ding interviewed a prisoner every week until the. After all, in its prime, Interviews Before Execution had a whopping 40 million viewers per broadcast, and skyrocketed Ding Yu to fame. But what began as a planned public deterrent to crime turned into a popular phenomenon rivaling American Idol in the United States, capturing 40 million viewers per broadcast and rocketing Ms. Ding to fame, according to The New York Times. Between 2006 and 2012, almost 40 million fans turned on their televisions each week to watch her in action. "Interviews Before Execution," first broadcast on Henan Legal Channel Nov. 18, 2006, according to the BBC, interviewed a prisoner on death row every week in cruel and voyeuristic detail. "I feel sorry and regretful for them. Hearing the words in Bundy's actual voice makes the confession even creepier. As a death row attorney whom Desmond Tutu has called "America's young Nelson Mandela," Bryan Stevenson has worked with people who most of society has already cast aside. Yu asked if the girl would like to watch her fathers filmed apology. Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution: A rare fictional exploration of death row inmates narrated by the irreplaceable Kubbra Sait Buri Nazar: A light-hearted family dramedy that turns. As those questions swirled through Stevenson's mind, his client was pulled away. The Chinese show Interviews Before Execution took reality TV to unsettling new levels. It was the first time Ding had ever met an openly gay man. in the last 14 hours of my life than they ever did in the first 19 years.". However, I don't think our country is ready yet. In the popular and controversial Chinese television show, "Interviews Before Execution", reporter Ding Yu interviews prisoners shortly before they are to be executed. The higher court kept returning the case to the local court until the death sentence was suspended. I was a little furious at the time, says the prisoner. Some senior figures in the justice system foresee more far-reaching reforms in the future, including Judge Pan, another judge who has worked closely with the programme. Its a well-known fact that the Chinese government is obsessed with the death penalty. Testing helps in removing risks and problems earlier. When I talk with the interviewee I am more concerned with his character, upbringing, environment, social background, and the link between him and the victim. At the time the programme was on air, China carried the death penalty for as many as 55 separate offences, but the programme concentrated exclusively on murder convictions of a particularly violent nature, and where there was no doubt of the prisoner's guilt. "They had the guards come in and shave the hair off [Richardson's] body to prepare him for execution, and I watched those men do that. That is good for society.,