The Woman Who Has Prevented 200 Executions

Cynthia Short, a criminal-defense attorney in Missouri, had managed to avoid looking at crime-scene photographs for the first time in her career. She was representing Richard DeLong, who had been charged with capital punishment for five murders, including the death of his ex-girlfriend and her three children. Short's duty as a public defender obliged her to take the case, despite her reluctance to confront the graphic evidence of such a heinous crime.

DeLong had confessed to the murders, stating that he had strangled each victim with scarves and cords, hog-tying Erin and gagging two of the children. His crime was particularly egregious, as each victim had been killed in a gruesome manner, resulting in a case that met the aggravating factors required for a potential death sentence.

Short's experience with capital punishment cases had left her questioning the fairness of the criminal justice system. She had seen firsthand how the system could produce disparate outcomes based on factors such as defendants' financial resources and the location of their crimes. This realization led her to become increasingly opposed to the death penalty.

In order to secure a life sentence for DeLong, Short focused on presenting mitigating evidence, attempting to sway the jury's opinion by highlighting any aspects of his background that might suggest his character or the reasons for his actions. Through her relentless efforts and dedication to her client, Short was able to prevent DeLong from receiving the death penalty, thereby saving his life.