Truer Crime – “Keith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot” Part 4

Host: Celisia Stanton
Guest: Keith LaMar
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues the story of Keith LaMar, one of the “Lucasville Five” sentenced to death after the 1993 Lucasville Prison Riot in Ohio. Host Celisia Stanton explores what comes after a capital conviction—how one holds onto humanity on death row, the realities of appeals, solidarity among condemned men, and Keith’s ongoing fight for survival and dignity. The episode is a searing, intimate look at solitary confinement, resistance, and the transformative power of education, hope, and connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Arrival on Death Row and Immediate Realities

• Keith’s Post-Sentencing Transfer ([04:03])
  • After the conviction, Keith is sent to Mansfield Correctional, expecting some return to “normalcy.”
  • He remembers the surreal moment: “Now, having had nothing to do with the riot, I’m on a bus on my way to this place called death row.” ([04:34])
• Surreal Choices ([05:41])
  • Keith’s first days include disturbing questions about his preferred mode of execution: “Would you rather be electrocuted or the lethal injection?”
  • He reflects on his powerlessness: “You were constantly being given these choices between lesser evils.”

Building Unlikely Bonds: The Lucasville Five

• Connection with Jason Robb ([06:21])
  • Despite coming from different backgrounds—Keith, a Black man; Jason, Aryan Brotherhood leader—they lean on each other for survival and information.
  • Jason warns of the extreme isolation they’ll face: “No full contact visits, no telephone calls, no mail... And Jason was telling me that this is what we had to look forward to.” ([07:18])
• Forged Fraternity ([08:27])
  • The five men, all from rival groups, find common cause under extreme circumstances.
  • Keith describes the bond: “We became kind of fraternal brothers, basically, which is circumstantial. We had this real difficult situation in common. And so we learned to kind of rely on each other.” ([08:51])

Psychological Impact and the Role of Mentorship

• Cultural, Legal, and Emotional Guidance ([10:28])
  • Keith credits an older prisoner, Snoop, for introducing him to James Baldwin, music, and legal strategy: “He turned me on to James Baldwin... taught me how to read the law...” ([10:42])
  • Snoop shifts Keith’s understanding of appeals: “Once you are found guilty, it’s no longer about your guilt or innocence...” ([11:20])
• The Harsh Legal Reality
  • Celisia notes, “After a guilty verdict, innocence no longer matters.” ([11:50])
  • Keith and others begin to realize important evidence was intentionally withheld—a Brady violation—but with limited legal access.

Acts of Resistance: Hunger Strikes and Desperation

• Initial Hunger Strike for Basic Rights ([13:45])
  • Facing extreme deprivation, the Lucasville Five refuse to eat—a last-resort protest for legal access and humane conditions.
  • Empty promises from the administration lead to deep disillusionment, and the men escalate to a more perilous hunger strike.
• Harrowing Conditions and Self-Destruction ([17:58])
  • Keith describes the physical and spiritual agony during the strike:

    "It's pain **without the hope of receiving a favorable outcome... So your pain... is doubled now." ([17:58])

  • After four weeks and a bleeding ulcer, Keith halts the strike in despair but finds new resolve through reading, especially Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth.”

Escalation: The Mansfield Pod Uprising

• Taking Drastic Action ([20:24])
  • Influenced by philosophical writings, Keith decides to physically disrupt the prison to draw attention to their conditions:

    "I'm gonna commandeer the pod...make it unlivable. And they would have no choice but to move me..." ([20:24])

• Describing the Event and its Risks ([21:02] – [24:02])
  • Keith makes clear that he never intended to hurt anyone, only to force officials to notice their plight.
  • A critical and nearly fatal moment:

    “Had those doors not been locked, you would have, out of instinct, ran out of that cell... And they would have shot us, killed us...” ([24:02])

Retaliation and Total Isolation

• Reprisal from Guards ([26:47])
  • Keith describes a brutal beating by a “goon squad”:

    “They started saying, 'Let it be noted that inmate Lamar is refusing to cuff up'...They kicked me in the groin, kicked me in the face..." ([26:47])

  • He is disappeared for weeks—no contact, total cold, rumors of death.
• Returns to Protest and Transfer to Supermax ([29:20])
  • After further resistance, Keith and the Five are moved to Ohio’s Youngstown Supermax:

    “We didn’t have any newspapers, no books, no music, no visit, no outside rec. ...this place was designed to torture prisoners.” ([31:09])

Enduring Solitary, Fighting for Human Contact

• Prolonged Isolation and Suicidality on Supermax ([31:27])
  • Hunger strikes continue as conditions worsen; Keith abstains, scarred by past strikes.
• Legal Breakthrough: Evidentiary Hearing ([33:21])
  • Keith explains, “An evidentiary hearing is something akin to a mini trial...not about my guilty innocence, but about whether or not my constitutional rights were violated.” ([33:21])
  • The state prosecutor admits narrowing the criteria for exculpatory evidence—an important legal admission ([34:32]).
• Lawyer’s Failure and Emotional Aftermath ([35:22])
  • Unlike other attorneys, Keith’s lawyer fails to file motions that could have strengthened his appeal—a devastating blow.

The Crucible of Human Touch: Hunger Strike for Family Contact

• 18 Years Without Touch ([36:09])
  • Keith sues for the right to contact visits; courts repeatedly deny him.
  • Reading “Nothing But An Unfinished Song” about IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands inspires his next move ([37:27]).
• Building External Support, Winning Small Victories ([38:36])
  • In 2011, a hunger strike with strong outside advocacy finally breaks through—Keith is allowed semicontact visits after 18 years.
  • The first moment holding a family member, especially his newborn nephew, is profound:

    “To hold something that precious...and not break it made me know that I could hold other equally...things in my hands and not restore my ego...” ([40:11])

Broader Lessons: Solidarity, Living with Meaning

• The Power of Collective Action ([41:33])
  • Keith’s journey proves change is collective:

    “Nothing truly, truly amazing can be achieved as an individual to change the criminal justice system...This is something that we all have to do together.” ([41:33])

• Finding Purpose Beyond Survival ([45:17])
  • Keith begins working with at-risk youth, virtually leads literacy programs, and releases the album “Freedom First” from death row:

    “It’s not just about getting off death row. It’s also living my life.” ([45:17])

  • Keith emphasizes not just waiting to die but living as fully as possible even behind bars.

The Ever-Present Threat and Hope

• Facing Execution and the Power of Hope ([49:35])
  • With his execution rescheduled to January 2027, Keith reflects:

    “More time, mean more life, more opportunities to do something righteous with my life.” ([49:35])

  • Celisia reflects on hope as a discipline, forged through struggle and collaboration.

Moments of Humanity and Humor

• Personal Moments, Teachings, and Levity ([51:16] – [53:25])
  • Keith jokes with Celisia about never reading James Baldwin, insisting she build her mental “suitcase” before thirty:

    “You gotta read these books before you’re 30 years old...pack your suitcase.” ([53:25])

  • Emphasizes that literacy, self-awareness, and meaning are essential building blocks for a life well-lived.

Central Closing Reflections

• The Transformative Power of Books ([54:43])
  • Keith:

    “Books are the main thing that has helped me remain sane...It has made me understand that just because you are physically free doesn’t automatically mean that you are living...The worst thing is not that we leave here. The worst thing is to leave here without having experienced what you have come here to do, which is to live.” ([54:43])

• Celisia’s Final Thoughts
  • She urges listeners to see Keith as a whole person and not a number or statistic, and to support his legal defense fund.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You were constantly being given these choices between lesser evils."
  — Keith LaMar, 06:00

• "Once you are found guilty, it’s no longer about your guilt or innocence...Now it’s about whether or not you received a fair trial."
  — Keith LaMar [11:20]

• "Hope is a big component of what the struggle is about on this end...Without being able to see those things, it makes what you are going through even more excruciating."
  — Keith LaMar [17:58]

• "Nothing truly, truly amazing can be achieved as an individual to change the criminal justice system...This is something that we all have to do together."
  — Keith LaMar [41:33]

• "It’s not just about getting off death row. It’s also living my life...what portion can I point to and say, well, that's where I was living."
  — Keith LaMar [45:17]

• "The worst thing is not that we leave here. The worst thing is that you leave here without having experienced what you have come here to do, which is to live."
  — Keith LaMar [56:29]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:03] — Keith’s arrival at death row, immediate dehumanization
• [05:41] — Choices between “lesser evils” and surreal new reality
• [08:27] — The Lucasville Five’s bonds, racial and gang divisions broken by circumstance
• [10:28] — Snoop's mentorship: reading, legal strategy, James Baldwin
• [13:45] — Launch of hunger strikes for basic rights
• [17:58] — The agony and existential despair during the strike
• [20:24] — Philosophical influences and decision to “commandeer the pod”
• [24:02] — Close call with tear gas: “Had those doors not been locked...they would have shot us.”
• [29:20] — Transfer to Supermax, conditions worsen, isolation described
• [33:21] — Evidentiary hearing, legal admission of withheld evidence
• [36:09] — 18 years without physical contact, legal losses, and ultimatum
• [38:36] — Hunger strike wins contact visits
• [40:11] — Keith's first experience holding his nephew, reclaiming humanity
• [41:33] — The power and necessity of collective action
• [45:17] — Literacy program, album recorded from death row, living boldly
• [49:35] — Execution postponed; hope and danger of hope
• [54:43] — The essential role of books, the meaning of a lived life

Tone & Language

The tone is intimate, raw, and reflective, balancing despair and hope. Keith’s voice is often philosophical yet vividly detailed, filled with self-awareness and urgency. Celisia Stanton is empathetic, inquisitive, and candid about her own responses—modeling the kind of listening and witness she encourages the audience to emulate.

Takeaways

• The story continues long after a guilty verdict; death row is a drawn-out psychological and legal ordeal.
• Survival and resistance are collective acts, even in solitary confinement.
• Legal technicalities, solidarity, education, and hope are pivotal for survival.
• Openness to learning and connection defines Keith’s journey as much as any legal fight.

Call to Action

Keith Lamar is scheduled for execution in 2027. To support his legal defense, donate at keithlamar.org/donate. You can explore his art, music, and activism at the same site.

Final words from Keith:
“The worst thing is not that we leave here. The worst thing is to leave here without having experienced what you have come here to do, which is to live.” — [56:29]