The Grass Beneath His Feet: The Charles Victor Thompson Story

by Roger Rodriguez

Nothing produced a glow in his eyes like the wonders of nature provoking his every curiosity. Everything about nature appealed to his meticulous character and his childhood was invested at Medina Lake, chasing down fireflies, and fishing. There was nothing he liked better than fried perch and eggs for breakfast. So how does such an innocent boy end up on death row in what most agree is the most relentless state for executing murders? The Grass Beneath His Feet recounts the life of Charles Victor Thompson, who after falling in love; found himself in a disturbing chain of events that would change his life forever. This re-telling of his story is extracted directly from the journals of Charles Victor Thompson himself where his childhood, his true love, and his ultimate escape from death row are revealed. For this first time, readers can enjoy the intimate details of the escape that shocked the entire nation. America?s Most Wanted, CNN, The World News all wanted to know the same How did this man manage to escape from the most notorious death row system in the country? The Grass Beneath His Feet also introduces Charles to the people, not as a murderer, but as a man fighting to prove that there were many flaws in his legal process that kept him from proving that he does not meet criteria for capital punishment. Prepare to embark on a journey into a life at death row through the eyes of Charles Victor Thompson and run next to him as a child and an escapee as he took in the beauty of nature and the South Texas sun with the grass beneath his feet.

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jon Angco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, there is a book that is not the typical murder story about the jealous man who killed his girlfriend and runs away. Instead, "The Grass Beneath His Feet" focuses on the experience of Charles Victor Thompson's escape from death row. The book focuses on Thompson's upbringing and life before the day he kills his girlfriend Dennise Hayslip and her lover Darren Cain. He is thinking back to the good old days as he travels towards Louisiana in a train boxcar. Although it would have been nice to have learned a little more about the actual crime, I found the read to be very entertaining. The perspective from the prisoner is interesting and the manner in which he escaped was clever. If you watch his case on Netflix's "I am a Killer" and then read the book, it will be an even better read.