Mary West
👤 PersonPodcast Appearances
Jeremy was barely literate when he was sent to death row. And it sounds like that's where he finally tried to learn.
Jeremy was barely literate when he was sent to death row. And it sounds like that's where he finally tried to learn.
Between the GED books Mary sends and the paperback novels that I send him, it still sounds like he can't get enough to read.
Between the GED books Mary sends and the paperback novels that I send him, it still sounds like he can't get enough to read.
Sometimes Jeremy's letters are just a stream of consciousness. What it's like to spend day after day in prison.
Sometimes Jeremy's letters are just a stream of consciousness. What it's like to spend day after day in prison.
Mary West has had many jobs and worn many hats. She's in her 60s now and living in northern Florida, where, these days, she cleans houses.
Mary West has had many jobs and worn many hats. She's in her 60s now and living in northern Florida, where, these days, she cleans houses.
By summer, Jeremy and Mary are also talking on the phone.
By summer, Jeremy and Mary are also talking on the phone.
In my calls with him, Jeremy always asked for updates on Leo's case. And when I let him know that Leo had a big hearing coming up that could lead to his release, he wrote to Mary about it.
In my calls with him, Jeremy always asked for updates on Leo's case. And when I let him know that Leo had a big hearing coming up that could lead to his release, he wrote to Mary about it.
Jeremy will never see the day where he's actually paroled. But he tells Mary how much it means to him for Leo to be released from prison.
Jeremy will never see the day where he's actually paroled. But he tells Mary how much it means to him for Leo to be released from prison.
In the spring of 2024, Leo was finally released from prison. Mary talked to Jeremy on the phone not long after.
In the spring of 2024, Leo was finally released from prison. Mary talked to Jeremy on the phone not long after.
Jeremy's not just concerned for Leo. He also shows a lot of concern for Mary, who is being treated for cancer.
Jeremy's not just concerned for Leo. He also shows a lot of concern for Mary, who is being treated for cancer.
She shares her own health updates with him and how her chemotherapy treatments can leave her feeling exhausted. She shares a lot with him, actually.
She shares her own health updates with him and how her chemotherapy treatments can leave her feeling exhausted. She shares a lot with him, actually.
And sometimes, in Jeremy's letters back, you can hear his anguish when he thinks about losing this connection with her.
And sometimes, in Jeremy's letters back, you can hear his anguish when he thinks about losing this connection with her.
Victoria Avalon is an assistant state attorney who questioned Jeremy Scott after he confessed to killing Michelle Schofield in a 2017 evidentiary hearing.
Victoria Avalon is an assistant state attorney who questioned Jeremy Scott after he confessed to killing Michelle Schofield in a 2017 evidentiary hearing.
It was around this time that I gave Jeremy some exciting news about his family.
It was around this time that I gave Jeremy some exciting news about his family.
Justin is all Jeremy wants to talk and write about.
Justin is all Jeremy wants to talk and write about.
He can't stop thinking and wondering about his son and this family he knows so little about.
He can't stop thinking and wondering about his son and this family he knows so little about.
Hearing how excited Jeremy is about Justin makes me realize just how much he's missed. His son's entire life. 35 years. Jeremy has never had to navigate a relationship like this, and I don't know if he has the tools to do it. What if he overwhelms Justin? What if he drives him away? What if, in trying so hard to hold on, he ends up making things even worse for himself?
Hearing how excited Jeremy is about Justin makes me realize just how much he's missed. His son's entire life. 35 years. Jeremy has never had to navigate a relationship like this, and I don't know if he has the tools to do it. What if he overwhelms Justin? What if he drives him away? What if, in trying so hard to hold on, he ends up making things even worse for himself?
I was hearing from both Jeremy and Justin that they were writing and rewriting drafts of letters to each other. Justin was unsure of how to find the right words for a father he'd never known. And Jeremy wasn't sure how to talk to his son he'd never held in his arms.
I was hearing from both Jeremy and Justin that they were writing and rewriting drafts of letters to each other. Justin was unsure of how to find the right words for a father he'd never known. And Jeremy wasn't sure how to talk to his son he'd never held in his arms.
With Mary's help, Jeremy is trying to be his best self, hoping Justin will recognize his effort and honesty.
With Mary's help, Jeremy is trying to be his best self, hoping Justin will recognize his effort and honesty.
Finally, Jeremy managed to write his letter to Justin.
Finally, Jeremy managed to write his letter to Justin.
Jeremy sent his letter for Justin to me so I could deliver it in person. He asked me to give you this. Is this like his handwriting?
Jeremy sent his letter for Justin to me so I could deliver it in person. He asked me to give you this. Is this like his handwriting?
Our executive producers are Jason Flom, Jeff Kempler, and Kevin Werdes. Cara Kornhaber is our senior producer. Jackie Pauly and Hannah Beal are our producers. Britt Spangler is our sound designer. Marianne McCune is our editor. Fact-checking by Dania Suleiman. Jeff Clyburn is our head of marketing and operations. Our social media director is Ismadi Gouardrama.
Our executive producers are Jason Flom, Jeff Kempler, and Kevin Werdes. Cara Kornhaber is our senior producer. Jackie Pauly and Hannah Beal are our producers. Britt Spangler is our sound designer. Marianne McCune is our editor. Fact-checking by Dania Suleiman. Jeff Clyburn is our head of marketing and operations. Our social media director is Ismadi Gouardrama.
Bone Valley Season 2. Jeremy. Chapter 5. Like a Little Kid. When Mary first decided to write Jeremy a letter, she wasn't sure how to reach him or where he was. In order to deposit funds into an inmate's canteen, the Florida DOC has to approve you, so I helped her navigate the protocols. She sent Jeremy a letter, got approved, then deposited a little money for deodorant and toothpaste.
Bone Valley Season 2. Jeremy. Chapter 5. Like a Little Kid. When Mary first decided to write Jeremy a letter, she wasn't sure how to reach him or where he was. In order to deposit funds into an inmate's canteen, the Florida DOC has to approve you, so I helped her navigate the protocols. She sent Jeremy a letter, got approved, then deposited a little money for deodorant and toothpaste.
She assumed that would be the end of that. But Jeremy wrote her back. January 31st. Christmas had passed, and it was the beginning of a new year, 2023. One day, she was picking up her mail, and there it was.
She assumed that would be the end of that. But Jeremy wrote her back. January 31st. Christmas had passed, and it was the beginning of a new year, 2023. One day, she was picking up her mail, and there it was.
As soon as she started getting letters from Jeremy, Mary agreed to send me voice memos, talking me through them. What really struck me in those early letters was how surprised Jeremy was to be hearing from her.
As soon as she started getting letters from Jeremy, Mary agreed to send me voice memos, talking me through them. What really struck me in those early letters was how surprised Jeremy was to be hearing from her.
Something else that stood out. It seemed like Jeremy wanted to prove to Mary that he was worthy of her time, her letters, and her attention.
Something else that stood out. It seemed like Jeremy wanted to prove to Mary that he was worthy of her time, her letters, and her attention.
When Jeremy was a younger man in prison, his family was still writing and visiting. But then they stopped. Now, all of a sudden, he had someone new in his life, and it seemed important to him to be accountable to her.
When Jeremy was a younger man in prison, his family was still writing and visiting. But then they stopped. Now, all of a sudden, he had someone new in his life, and it seemed important to him to be accountable to her.
In those early letters, Jeremy and Mary are just getting to know each other.
In those early letters, Jeremy and Mary are just getting to know each other.
At first, he's writing once a week or maybe every two weeks.
At first, he's writing once a week or maybe every two weeks.
By April, Jeremy is writing all the time, sometimes every three days.
By April, Jeremy is writing all the time, sometimes every three days.
The letters get more personal.
The letters get more personal.
Mary asks him about his family and the people he used to know on the outside.
Mary asks him about his family and the people he used to know on the outside.
In May, the letters ramp up even more.
In May, the letters ramp up even more.
Mary wasn't able to find her gravestone, but she was able to find Arlene's obituary. It had a picture of her. Mary printed it out and sent a copy of it to Jeremy. He wrote back.
Mary wasn't able to find her gravestone, but she was able to find Arlene's obituary. It had a picture of her. Mary printed it out and sent a copy of it to Jeremy. He wrote back.
Mary also did what she could to connect Jeremy with other family members, just like I did. The last time I checked, Royal Dean Scott was in prison himself in Alabama. Mary found his mugshot online and sent that to Jeremy as well.
Mary also did what she could to connect Jeremy with other family members, just like I did. The last time I checked, Royal Dean Scott was in prison himself in Alabama. Mary found his mugshot online and sent that to Jeremy as well.
It's clear how much these family connections mean to Jeremy.
It's clear how much these family connections mean to Jeremy.
From his letters, Mary has learned even more than I have about Jeremy's childhood.
From his letters, Mary has learned even more than I have about Jeremy's childhood.
During the sentencing phase of the Donald Moorhead trial, when he was 19 years old, Jeremy listened to his Aunt Debbie describe him as slow, with a mind that wanders like a nine-year-old child.
During the sentencing phase of the Donald Moorhead trial, when he was 19 years old, Jeremy listened to his Aunt Debbie describe him as slow, with a mind that wanders like a nine-year-old child.
Jeremy was barely literate when he was sent to death row. And it sounds like that's where he finally tried to learn.
Between the GED books Mary sends and the paperback novels that I send him, it still sounds like he can't get enough to read.
Sometimes Jeremy's letters are just a stream of consciousness. What it's like to spend day after day in prison.
Mary West has had many jobs and worn many hats. She's in her 60s now and living in northern Florida, where, these days, she cleans houses.
By summer, Jeremy and Mary are also talking on the phone.
In my calls with him, Jeremy always asked for updates on Leo's case. And when I let him know that Leo had a big hearing coming up that could lead to his release, he wrote to Mary about it.
Jeremy will never see the day where he's actually paroled. But he tells Mary how much it means to him for Leo to be released from prison.
In the spring of 2024, Leo was finally released from prison. Mary talked to Jeremy on the phone not long after.
Jeremy's not just concerned for Leo. He also shows a lot of concern for Mary, who is being treated for cancer.
She shares her own health updates with him and how her chemotherapy treatments can leave her feeling exhausted. She shares a lot with him, actually.
And sometimes, in Jeremy's letters back, you can hear his anguish when he thinks about losing this connection with her.
Victoria Avalon is an assistant state attorney who questioned Jeremy Scott after he confessed to killing Michelle Schofield in a 2017 evidentiary hearing.
It was around this time that I gave Jeremy some exciting news about his family.
Justin is all Jeremy wants to talk and write about.
He can't stop thinking and wondering about his son and this family he knows so little about.
Hearing how excited Jeremy is about Justin makes me realize just how much he's missed. His son's entire life. 35 years. Jeremy has never had to navigate a relationship like this, and I don't know if he has the tools to do it. What if he overwhelms Justin? What if he drives him away? What if, in trying so hard to hold on, he ends up making things even worse for himself?
I was hearing from both Jeremy and Justin that they were writing and rewriting drafts of letters to each other. Justin was unsure of how to find the right words for a father he'd never known. And Jeremy wasn't sure how to talk to his son he'd never held in his arms.
With Mary's help, Jeremy is trying to be his best self, hoping Justin will recognize his effort and honesty.
Finally, Jeremy managed to write his letter to Justin.
Jeremy sent his letter for Justin to me so I could deliver it in person. He asked me to give you this. Is this like his handwriting?
Our executive producers are Jason Flom, Jeff Kempler, and Kevin Werdes. Cara Kornhaber is our senior producer. Jackie Pauly and Hannah Beal are our producers. Britt Spangler is our sound designer. Marianne McCune is our editor. Fact-checking by Dania Suleiman. Jeff Clyburn is our head of marketing and operations. Our social media director is Ismadi Gouardrama.
Bone Valley Season 2. Jeremy. Chapter 5. Like a Little Kid. When Mary first decided to write Jeremy a letter, she wasn't sure how to reach him or where he was. In order to deposit funds into an inmate's canteen, the Florida DOC has to approve you, so I helped her navigate the protocols. She sent Jeremy a letter, got approved, then deposited a little money for deodorant and toothpaste.
She assumed that would be the end of that. But Jeremy wrote her back. January 31st. Christmas had passed, and it was the beginning of a new year, 2023. One day, she was picking up her mail, and there it was.
As soon as she started getting letters from Jeremy, Mary agreed to send me voice memos, talking me through them. What really struck me in those early letters was how surprised Jeremy was to be hearing from her.
Something else that stood out. It seemed like Jeremy wanted to prove to Mary that he was worthy of her time, her letters, and her attention.
When Jeremy was a younger man in prison, his family was still writing and visiting. But then they stopped. Now, all of a sudden, he had someone new in his life, and it seemed important to him to be accountable to her.
In those early letters, Jeremy and Mary are just getting to know each other.
At first, he's writing once a week or maybe every two weeks.
By April, Jeremy is writing all the time, sometimes every three days.
Mary asks him about his family and the people he used to know on the outside.
Mary wasn't able to find her gravestone, but she was able to find Arlene's obituary. It had a picture of her. Mary printed it out and sent a copy of it to Jeremy. He wrote back.
Mary also did what she could to connect Jeremy with other family members, just like I did. The last time I checked, Royal Dean Scott was in prison himself in Alabama. Mary found his mugshot online and sent that to Jeremy as well.
It's clear how much these family connections mean to Jeremy.
From his letters, Mary has learned even more than I have about Jeremy's childhood.
During the sentencing phase of the Donald Moorhead trial, when he was 19 years old, Jeremy listened to his Aunt Debbie describe him as slow, with a mind that wanders like a nine-year-old child.