Former prison inmate defends release of Cordelia Stephens

A former prison mate of Cordelia Stephens has come to her defence by reminding persons that no sin is worse than any other.{{more}}

Girlie Cupid-Williams visited SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday morning to express her disagreement with a letter by written by Carlos Walcott that was published in the Friday, April 20 edition of SEARCHLIGHT.

In the letter, the writer said “I am sorry, but I do not think that Mrs Stevens and her lover Mr Robinson are candidates for leniency and release.”

The letter further stated “A gruesome and pre-meditated murder was committed and nothing less than life in prison with no chance of parole should have even been considered…”

Displeased about the writer’s opinion, Williams said that we are all God’s people and should not be judged by others, once God has chosen to forgive.

She explained that she too was a prisoner and a drug addict for twenty-one years, but has managed to overcome her addiction “through the help of God”.

Williams also claimed that while in prison, Stephens was instrumental in the transformation of her life.

She described Stephens as a strong and powerful individual who strongly believes in prayer and had already sought forgiveness from God for her actions.

Cordelia Stephens was convicted, along with Anthony Robinson back in 1989 for the murder of her 51-year-old husband, Glendon Stephens, in Richland Park.

She was sentenced to death, but, however, spent only a little over 5 years on death row. Her sentence was later reduced to life in prison.

On April 5 this year, she was one of three inmates at Her Majesty’s Prisons who were released upon the recommendation of the local Prerogative of Mercy Committee.

“I use to be in and out of jail, and while there, I use to see her (Stephens) on her knees from night into the wee hours of the morning.

“She too was the one who use to pray with me and for me to overcome my cocaine addiction,” Williams said.

Williams, now a born-again Christian, and clean of drugs for the past six years, said that she was deeply upset when she read the letter on the Opinion page.

“When he is saying that she has no right in society, I just want persons to know that God didn’t come for the righteous. He will come for those that are sinners and once you accept that you are a sinner and you repent, God is going to forgive you,” she added.

“So Ms Stephens is no different from him or me or anyone else who commits a sin. There ain’t no goody goody sin,” Williams added. (AA)