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Witness to the Execution

Ashcroft to Allow McVeigh Execution to Be Televised

April 11 — Attorney General John Ashcroft has decided to allow the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to be televised on closed-circuit television, sources told ABCNEWS.

Aschroft will announce his decision during a press conference on Thursday. More than 250 people in Oklahoma City have requested a chance to see McVeigh's scheduled execution on May 16. The 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168, including several children in a day-care center inside the building.

In a recently published book, American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing, McVeigh denied knowing that a day-care center was in the federal building but referred to the 19 children killed as "collateral damage."

Last December, a judge granted McVeigh's request to halt his appeals process and set an execution date. There are only eight seats available in the death chamber at Terre Haute, Ind. and several families of the victims want a chance to either see the execution via closed-circuit television in Oklahoma City or Terre Haute.

Federal laws prohibit the recording of an execution. With Ashcroft's decision to grant the families' request for a closed-circuit feed, McVeigh's execution will be the first televised in the United States.

The Need for Closure

Few families seem opposed to having a chance to see McVeigh die, even if they are not sure they would actually take the opportunity. Some see it as a chance to bring some closure to the loss of their loved ones.

"Attending Tim's execution — I'm not sure what my reactions are going to be, but since this incident I feel like I've been stalked from prison," said Janey Coverdale, who lost two grandchildren in the bombing. "Every time I feel like I'm moving forward, Tim says something that throws me back to where I was. So, once Tim is dead, at least I will have that peace."

Ashcroft will also announce the final procedures of the execution. McVeigh will be the first prisoner executed since 1963 and Ashcroft is trying to decide whether the procedures followed in his execution will be applied to other prisoners.

As of right now, Justice Department officials have said McVeigh will have a last chance to meet with his lawyers two hours before his execution and ask for a last-minute stay or request clemency from President Bush. Last-minute calls to see whether last minute appeals have been filed will be made to the White House and the courts involved in his case 45 minutes and 10 minutes before McVeigh's execution.

- my note - hopefully the families and the workers will finally find some sort of closure. Somehow, I doubt it.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Answers

If I were Ashcroft, I think I'd stick with tradition. This is just going to give ammunition to the people who argue that the death penalty is barbaric, and I am definitely not one of those people.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

OOPS on my link... sorry all

Peter,

From what I understand, the 250 or so that are going to watch it will be in one location and it will be seen via closed circuit TV. It won't be like the entire world will get to watch, although there are a few wisecracks that are trying to sue to the rights to broadcast it over the internet. Here at least, they give the victom's family a chance to witness the execution if they so desire.

I already know that there will be a demonstration during that time, and I know some people which will be there, and will probably be arrested. The demonstration should be at the state capital building, or maybe the memoral.

I have mixed feelings on if I would want to watch it if I were one of the survivors of a person killed. Sorry, but I think he is getting off too easy. If there were room in Indiana where this is going to take place, I'm sure that these people would go, but from what I've heard it is limited to only 7.

This town is still hurt. The people still hurt, and not just those that were there, had family there, or worked the scene. It will be a long day, if ever, that this place is fully healed.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001