Analysis Of Jonathan Wayne Nobles

Truly Forgiven

Jonathan Wayne Nobles was a murderer, but he atoned for his sins during his incarceration.

“In 1986 Jon was convicted (almost entirely on the strength of his own confession) of stabbing

Kelley Farquhar and Mitzi Johnson-Nalley to death. He also admitted stabbing Ron Ross,

Nalley’s boyfriend, who lost an eye in the attack.”(Earle 74-75) Jonathan Wayne Nobles was

sentenced to death on October 7 1998. Nobles might have committed several crimes including

two murders, but during his incarceration awaiting death row he truly changed for the better

and found forgiveness for himself. He found religion, and helped other inmates find religion.

Nobles might have been on drugs during the murders he committed, but during his
Jonathan Wayne

Nobles showed through his actions that he might not have been a man without sin but a man

that wanted to change.

Nobles actions during his incarceration showed that of a rehabilitated man and man that

could be trusted. Some even might say that they admired him for the way he was dealing with

his situation. Steve Earle wrote this in his essay A Death in Texas, “ Inmate Richard Bethard on

his way down the line to visit a family member stops to talk to Jon and introduces us. Bethard

beams saying that he is one of my biggest fans. The guard patiently waits until the exchange is

over before escorting him along to his assigned cubicle. Such socialization during inmate

transfer is a clear violation of policy at Ellis, but a lot of the rules have relaxed for Jon. He says

that its like the last week of the school year. I believe that its more likely he has earned the

respect of everyone at Ellis.”(76) This is evidence that he changed for the better. He gained the

respect of the staff at Ellis and the respect of his fellow inmates through his positive actions.

Jonathan Wayne Nobles was unarguably a rehabilitated man before his punishment.