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The McVeigh Execution
With Lois Romano
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 11, 2001; 11:30 a.m. EDT
Timothy McVeigh was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Wednesday, May 16, at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind. McVeigh was convicted of bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and killing 168 people on April 19, 1995. However, the Justice Department on Friday, May 11 issued a 30-day delay of execution in light of new documents released by the FBI.
Lois Romano has been covering the story for The Washington Post for six years, closely following the lives of the victims and the complex legal process that has led to the execution. She was online Friday, May 11, at 11:30 a.m. EDT, as news of the new FBI documents surfaced, to discuss the situation in Terre Haute.
Romano witnessed the execution of Steven Keith Hatch, who was charged with killing a couple in their rural home in Oklahoma in 1996. She has written for The Post since 1981.
A transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
washingtonpost.com:
Lois Romano will be joining us momentarily.
Lois Romano: hello, I am Lois Romano coming to you in the middle of a breaking story. Thank you for joining us.
Falls Church, Va.:
I feel that McVeigh has admitted that he did the bombing so stay his execution in light of these new findings. He wants to die for his crime so execute him and put everyone hearts to rest. He did the crime now he should die. If they put his execution off what good will it do for anyone involved?
Lois Romano: A delay at this point would give both his lawyers and the government a chance to review the documents. In the case where a man's life is at stake, it seems that everyone would make to make sure no mistakes are made.
Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Is it likely, with this new evidence, that Timothy McVeigh will get life in prison instead of the death penalty? I am strongly opposed to the death penalty and I'm curious.
Thank you, Carol
Lois Romano: It's difficult to say what will happen until the documents are reviewed. One option is a new trial, another is a resentencing. But a third is that nothing will change. If the trial judge determines that the documents contain nothing that would have altered the conviction or penalty, it could be status quo.
Rosslyn, Va.:
Hi, I understand that McVeigh can choose to go through with the execution rather than wait 30 days. What do you think he'll do?
Lois Romano: His lawyer is meeting with him right now. I suspect that he is being advised to delay the execution for 30 days. But Mr. Mcveigh is a realist and he knows that it is highly unlikely that he will ever be exonerated. He has said he does not want to spend his life in jail. So he said he was ready to die.
Tysons Corner, Va.:
What would you say is the overwhelming feeling in Terra Haute today as the story breaks about the FBI withholding information? Do you think the stay will be granted? In the end, even if it is granted, will it have an effect on the eventual outcome -- that is, will he not be executed?
Lois Romano: it appears that the justice department will today delay the execution for at least 30 days. what happens after thats depends on what is in those documents. mcveigh did admit to the crime, and that can be used against him in a new trial.
New York:
Lois, can you explain the process. As far as I understand, the Justice Department is recommending a delay to the attorney general and that Ashcroft can then determine a delay. If he does, what happens at that point?
Lois Romano: At that point, everyone sits down and studies the documents to determine if there is anything in them that could have affected the outcome of his conviction. His lawyers can argue for a new trial based on the documents. Justice would argue there's nothing in them. A judge will decide/
Arlington, Va.:
What does this documents business say about the FBI? It strikes me that the caliber of its work has gone down remarkably in the Freeh years or did they just cover up their incompetence better in the past?
Lois Romano: it is quite embarrassing for the FBI. They need to explain today how 44 field offices failed to forward these materials some six years ago.
Washington, D.C.:
Dear Ms. Romano,
I have been thinking that by executing Mr. McVeigh we will be effectively martyring him before others of his same mind set. I almost think that this type of person would better be left isolated and without a rallying cry. Why not just send Mr. McVeigh to prison for life? What is your opinion on this?
Thank you for taking my question. Richard
Lois Romano: The family members of the victims who support the death penalty believe that option would revictimize them. Mcveigh likes to talk about his anti-government sentiment. He recently greatly upset the families by calling the kids who died "collateral damage." They don't want to hear from him further.
Arlington, Va.:
Lois, Can you explain to everyone that what the Justice Department is recommending is a delay, not a stay of execution?
Lois Romano: Only the court can order a stay. But because Justice set the date, they can postpone it.
Reston, 20190:
I wonder what the reaction is in Oklahoma City. I imagine they're, shall we say, less than thrilled.
Lois Romano: The family members i spoke to are stricken. They wanted this chapter closed.
Chantilly, Va.:
Why would the execution be postponed when McVeigh has asked to die? And does the Government expect to find evidence that could change the outcome? If not, they why the delay?
Lois Romano: Mr. McVeigh asked to die before he knew about potential additional evidence. Fairness dictates that he has a right to revisit such a major decision.
Arlington, Va.:
Lois! What is going on? Why did the FBI choose now to release these documents. Is there something political behind this decision?
Lois Romano: well thats the big question. FBI says it was an error. Some of those associated with Mr. Mcveigh wonder if was intentional. In any case, the FBI must explain today how 46 field offices all made the same error.
Bowie, Md.:
The online Post's lead refers to some renewed interest in "John Doe #2." I thought the FBI had determined that he was some perfectly innocent person who happened to be at the Ryder agency the same time as McVeigh renting a truck. Is there some new evidence that he might be related?
Lois Romano: The government has always held JD 2 did not exist. But conspiracy theorists can build a case that there were so many sightings. I'm sure this will reopen that whole discussion
Arlington, Va.:
Is it conceivable that the trial judge reviewing the documents might find them so material and important that he could declare a mistrial? Or are really the only alternatives here a stay/no-stay of execution?
Lois Romano: it is conceivable, but in my opinion unlikely. Still, in the name of fairness, since a life is at stake, a delay is appropriate. Also, we must remember Mcveigh did admit he did it.
Washington, D.C.:
Regardless of whether the files are/were important to the defense, why wouldn't the withholding of information cause an automatic overturning of the conviction?
Lois Romano: Not necessarily. A judge has to determine if the documents would or could have affected the outcome.
Bethesda, Md.:
So how did the FBI find out that there were still thousands of documents?
Lois Romano: They say it was a routine check that is made before the closing of a case. But the FBI does have a lot of explaining to do. Such as -- how did 46 field offices miss this stuff.
Rockville, Md.:
What chemical is in the lethal injection and how long after it is injected does it take for a person to die?
Lois Romano: there are three chemicals -- one to put the inmate to sleep, one that stops respiration and the last to stop the heart. The entire process is painless and takes less that ten minutes.
Fairfax, Va.:
Assuming the execution goes forward, is there a designated executioner who is slated to push the button sending the lethal dose into McVeigh, or is it done by multiple people, only one of which (unknowingly) is the actual one to hit the active button? For that matter, is there now a federal executioner on the government payroll, or is the federal penitentiary borrowing Indiana's executioner? Is his identity kept hidden?
Lois Romano: The identity is always kept secret. It is either a staff person or a contract person who has done this before. We don't see it. the drug flow is started from outside the death chamber on orders from either the warden or the marshall
Washington, D.C.:
What's your take on the withheld documents? Why on earth would the government not make sure that this case was absolutely above board and airtight?
Lois Romano: I'm sure Justice is asking itself those questions right now. Its very hard to understand how in a case that was so carefully handled, this could happen. I think we will learn more in the next few days.
New York, N.Y.:
What is a stay of execution?
Lois Romano: a court order delay until matters are resolved. in this case, however, it seen that Justice is postponing the execution before the courts are asked.
Washington, D.C.:
Is there any evidence that Louis Freeh knew that this information was coming and so bailed out before he had to resign in disgrace?
Lois Romano: My understanding is that the documents were just discovered days ago -- before Mr. Freeh stepped aside.
Fairfax, Va.:
What was it like to witness an execution, and would you witness another?
Lois Romano: It was very low-key and swift. The inmate essentially goes to sleep. Yes,if my job required it, i would witness another.
New York:
If the McVeigh execution is delayed, what are the chances that
somebody else will receive the first Federal execution in 40 years?
Is there anybody else on Federal Death Row with an execution date set?
Lois Romano: That is an excellent question. Yes, there is a good chance Juan Garza will be executed June 16. he is scheduled to e executed that day.
Lois Romano: I would like to thank you all for joining me here today. I must now return to covering this story for the newspaper. But please visit our web site throughout the day, where we will be updating.
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