Nick Yarris was brutally attacked and raped by a teenage boy, leaving him with brain damage and a great amount of trauma. He begin abusing drink and other harder drugs.
Yarris was eventually accused of the kidnap and murder of a policeman. Although later acquitted, the fact that he was accused of such a crime was an indication of the way his life was heading and what the local police thought of him.
He was later charged with the murder of Linda Mae Craig. Nick Yarris was put on death row shortly after, where he would remain for 22 years. He was surrounded by guards who would batter him black and blue, prisoners who would hit him over a cigarette and there was a constant threat of attack on his life.
He believed that there was a great deal of goodness in the world. Instead of groveling in his cell despondently. Yarris decided to take the path of self-development where he spent virtually all his time reading and writing. He was trying to better himself because he knew he was valuable and could still make a difference.
The end goal of Yarris' self-development was to be able to eloquently express himself before his execution. In 1988 when DNA testing was about to show that he wasn't involved in the murder of Linda Mae Craig, the DNA samples were destroyed on their way to the laboratory for tests.
Nick Yarris' life is storied, to say the least. In the face of total despair, his relentless optimism and hope is something we should all remember when we are faced with problems in life.
Nick Yarris was certain to not become despondent about life. Even when he was certain he was going to be executed, he wanted to make sure he could be proud of himself in the way he acted. Yarris is living evidence that you can make the best out of any situation, no matter how grim it might be.
The second DNA test came 15 years later. Nick might have given up hope in terms of being released from death row, but he never lost faith in human kindness. He found a great deal of self-empowerment in being nice to people - it helped him understand that he was fundamentally good and that he must be kind to make the best of every situation.
When he was eventually acquitted after the DNA of 2 other men was found on Linda's possessions, he was sure not to be bitter about his time on death row. Rather, he takes pride in knowing that he did no harm to anyone while he was there. It challenged him in every way possible that made him infinitely compassionate. He goes on record as saying he thinks his life wouldn't be as good as it is now if he hadn't gone through his prison experience.
Yarris has now written inspirational books about his experience and campaigns against the death penalty.
Nick Yarris' life shows us that in the face of total despair, his relentless optimism and hope is something we should all remember when we are faced with whatever problems life throws our way.
