My name is Tony Enis. I was born in Waukegan, Illinois, where I grew up. I have been in prison since August of 1987, a month shy of my 21st birthday. It was then that I was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. I languished on death row until 2003.
I have always maintained my innocence.
I realize better than anyone the skepticism and doubt with which people view proclamations of innocence, but I will not allow the doubters and nay-sayers to discourage me. I am propelled by the truth and must stay the course. I am one, of what I believe to be many, innocent men formerly on death row and now in prison in Illinois. Some have made it out, but there remain those of us who continue to fight for our lives and liberty, those of us who fight the unyielding forces of racial discrimination in “our” justice system, and those of us who fight for a level playing field, as well as our human dignity and respect. Being poor, or black, or brown should never give this system carte blanche to destroy the lives of men and women for crimes they did not commit.
Still, if you do not know me you cannot know for sure whether or not my words ring true. I understand that, so I am asking you to examine and judge for yourself the facts presented on this website, and particularly in my draft request for clemency that I intend to eventually file to the governor. If those facts move you in some way, if they make you angry, if they make you sad, if they evoke compassion, sympathy, or empathy, then I ask you to sign the online petition and show your support (see “Request for Clemency Support”), and/or write a letter or email to the governor of illinois and implore him to look at my case; to show him there are those who believe I’m innocent, that I am deserving of my freedom, that I am no danger to society, and that over 30 years is enough.
For those of you who take the time to read about me, I am humbled by your concern, compassion, and willingness to seek the truth, and I thank you.
“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
John F. Kennedy