Photo description: Jim Free, Patty Kersey (friend of both Jim Free and Durlyn Eddmonds), Sister Josephine Migliori, and Durlyn Eddmonds (executed by the State of Illinois on Novemeber 19, 1997).

The following was written by Eileen Bosshart, a friend of Jim Free’s:

I first met Jim Free in 1984 as a volunteer for the ICADP. He was a gentle, soft-spoken “giant,” 6 feet, 4 inches tall, who did not fit the stereotype of the typical death row inmate. He came from a good Catholic, middle-class family. The newspapers said he had been an altar boy when he was younger.

At our first meeting at Pontiac Prison, it seemed very important to him that I understood the nature of his crime and that he had never been in trouble with the law before. He told me that he had not set out to commit a crime, but got very drunk one night while visiting several bars before he was scheduled to be shipped to Korea. At the last bar he accepted a drug which may have been PCP.

He committed the crime while in this state and said he did not remember much of it. However, he did not use that as an excuse. Jim accepted responsibility for his crime from the beginning. It was very painful for him to talk about. Once it was said, he never mentioned it again.

We shared letters and visits for the next eleven years. In all that time he busied himself with various projects and hobbies to stay clear of what he called “prison craziness.” In the beginning he was doing electrical work. He crocheted beautiful sweaters, afghans and toy animals, which he learned from a book of instructions he found at the prison. When the prison cut off the supply of stuffing material for his animals, he learned to paint. His talent blossomed as he spent every spare minute painting. He also designed miniature model rooms.

In some ways he took on the role of a “big brother” who was worried about how I was managing after my husband died. He offered advice on simple repair jobs, complete with diagrams that I could follow. If he was having problems of his own, he kept them to himself and always seemed more concerned about others. I do know that his heart ached because he felt he had alienated some members of his family with his crime. He worried a lot about his elderly parents.

As his execution date drew closer, he worked frantically to finish paintings as gifts for his family. He sent me a hand painted Christmas card, which I knew was a farewell gift. The night before his execution he wrote a final letter of goodbye [see excerpts below]. Prison life did not harden Jim Free. He was grateful for any kindness that was shown to him. His execution was a terrible waste of a life full of talent and potential. He was a true friend.

March 20, 1995

Dear Eileen,

Well, my dear friend, it appears at this time that the end is nearing. But it’s something we all knew would happen. Thanks for all your kindness and support you have given over all these years. You have been a great friend, one which I have cherished and want everyone to have. . . . . . I know you’ll be there at Stateville along with many others. Just find peace within yourself. . . .

I will be having a priest with me on that night to give me my spiritual help, which I will need. . . . . . I know these last weeks haven’t been easy for you either wondering how I’m doing. I’ve been trying to remain strong, to keep my faith and trust in Our Lord.. . . So, my dear friend, I hate to have to say goodbye, but its something which has to be if this goes thru. God bless you.

Love and Prayers,

Jim