Tina Duroy is the sister of James Blake Colburn, who was executed on March 26, 2003 for the 1994 murder of Peggy Murphy. In the beginning of Video 1, Duroy discusses her childhood, her early family life, and growing up with James; she then narrates the events that she believes contributed to the triggering of her brother's schizophrenia and describes perceived changes in his personality and his experiences as his condition worsened. Duroy then discusses the capital murder trial and her family's responses to James' conviction and sentence. In Video 2, Duroy describes the effects of the execution and the process leading up to it on her immediate family members. She also continues to reflect on how the broader community responded to James' situation, as well as the social stigma surrounding mental illness. She then describes her activities during James' last days, including her stay at the Hospitality House in Huntsville, her last interaction with James, her witnessing of James' execution, and her experience at the funeral home. Duroy concludes by offering her thoughts on society's responses to mental illness, and the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system. Throughout this interview, Duroy shares photographs taken by Fabian Biasio, which document her life during James' last days and were compiled as part of a 2005 exhibit \Diary of an Execution.\ This interview took place on August 11, 2008, at Tina's home in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas.
Contributor | Contribuidor:
Duroy, Tina (Narrator), Texas After Violence Project (Contributor), Raymond, Virginia Marie (Interviewer), Solis, Gabriel Daniel (Videographer), Solis, Gabriel Daniel (Transcriber), and Ambrosini-Bacon, Kimberly (Proofreader)