Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., will speak on the subject of the death penalty tonight at 8 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier College Church. “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States” is part of the spring speaker series sponsored by the Great Issues Committee.

“The death penalty is always a huge issue for the United States. We talk about being pro-life, and it is something we have to look at,” said John Eckert, Great Issues Committee chair. “Sister Helen is a great speaker and well-known. This is a serious issue, and she should provide some insight on this crucial subject.”

A member of Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, Prejean has dedicated her life to the poor of New Orleans. While living in the St. Thomas housing project, she became pen-pal with Patrick Sonnier, the convicted killer of two teenagers, sentenced to die in the electric chair of Louisiana’s Angola State Prison.

Upon request, Prejean repeatedly visited him as his spiritual advisor. In doing so, her eyes were opened to the Louisiana execution process. From her experiences she wrote the best-selling book Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States, which became a major motion picture.

The event is open to the public with students having priority. Doors open at 7:45 p.m.