He was hanged in 1992. Losing one of her inmates is emotionally tough for Clemons. Still, she writes. Some respond, some don't. Ramirez, who killed people in their homes and later drew media attention by tattooing a pentagram on his palm and flashing it during court appearances, opened up to Clemons.
Nobody wants to think about what's going on in their heads.
And they care, she says. In the book, with a pink construction-paper cover tied with purple ribbon, Dodd describes some of his own crimes and advises kids on how to avoid people like him. At one point, Dodd talks about a boy who ran for help instead of submitting to his demands. People like Dodd wrench Clemons' heart. Ramirez was homeless, desperate and angry when he committed his murders, she says.