Pure BS

1adam1238 · 06-11-2005, 01:41 PM

I am an Associate Warden at a Max Sec Prison where we house death row inmates. I think this is total Bull$#%%, for what this does to the victim's family. What do you guys think?

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho.../26699016.html
CARSON CITY -- Robert Lee McConnell ate his last meal of pepperoni pizza and was administered rites by a Catholic priest Thursday but decided less than 40 minutes before his execution to seek a stay.

McConnell, scheduled to die at 9 p.m. for shooting and stabbing a man in Reno who was dating his ex-girlfriend, sought the stay at 8:26 p.m. It was accepted by Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach by telephone.

Media witnesses to McConnell's execution had filed into the grounds of the Nevada State Prison and were waiting to be escorted to the execution chamber when news of his change of heart was announced.

Several members of the family of victim Brian Pierce were on hand to witness McConnell's execution.

Corrections Department Director Jackie Crawford said there was "silence" when Pierce's family was given the news.

About 20 protesters waited outside the prison grounds, carrying signs opposed to the death penalty. One sign said: "All killing is wrong."

McConnell, 32, signed the stay after conferring with Assistant Federal Public Defender Michael Pescetta.

Crawford said McConnell will be returned Monday to death row at Ely while his appeal of his death sentence is pursued.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Gerald Gardner said McConnell was free at any time to pursue his appeal.

"In the presence of a member of the federal public defender's office he signed documents requesting a stay of execution and requesting that a petition of post-conviction relief be filed on his behalf in the Second Judicial District Court in Reno, Nevada," he said.

Gardner said he did not know the nature of the discussion between Pescetta and McConnell. But earlier in the day, Pescetta urged McConnell to file for a stay sooner rather than later, Gardner said.

"At this point he still has many months left before he has to file a finalized post-conviction relief petition," Gardner said.

Asked whether the last-minute delay was orchestrated, Gardner said that possibility seemed likely.

"Based on some of the things Mr. McConnell has been saying in the last week, it certainly seems he was playing a game with the system," he said.

Crawford said there is an expense in getting ready for an execution, but the department must follow through when a death row inmate decides to give up his appeals and voluntarily be executed.

Of the 11 executions in Nevada since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977, all but one occurred when inmates dropped their appeals.

Many years have passed since a death row inmate said he was going forward with his execution only to drop it at the last minute. The last was Jimmy Neuschafer, who was scheduled to be executed in December 1990 when he backed out six hours beforehand. Neuschafer died of natural causes in prison in 1998.

Signs existed McConnell might not go through with his execution. In an interview at the prison Wednesday, McConnell said he would file an appeal if he did not get one last hug from his mother.

McConnell was not allowed "contact" visits with family because of security concerns.

But Crawford on Thursday allowed McConnell's mother and stepfather to have a contact visit, with McConnell remaining in restraints. McConnell's mother gave him a hug goodbye.

In the 15-minute interview, McConnell said he used to believe in the death penalty but does not support it any more. He said he did not deserve to die for killing Pierce.

"I just don't think that it's right to say what I did is wrong, and it's a state-sanctioned murder," he said of his impending execution.

But McConnell also said Pierce did not deserve to die either.

"Nobody has the right to take life," he said.

McConnell was sentenced to death in July 2003. Besides killing Pierce, he raped his former girlfriend.

In the interview, McConnell said his only regret was not killing his ex-girlfriend.

Crawford said the previous two voluntary executions went forward without incident.

"Making the noises and talking to the various media and some of the threats he's made, sometimes you begin to wonder if it's a manipulation of the process," she said.

06-11-2005, 01:41 PM	Topic Starter
1adam1238 Knob Noster Alum Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dayton, Nevada Casino cash: $9058155	Pure BS I am an Associate Warden at a Max Sec Prison where we house death row inmates. I think this is total Bull$#%%, for what this does to the victim's family. What do you guys think? http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho.../26699016.html CARSON CITY -- Robert Lee McConnell ate his last meal of pepperoni pizza and was administered rites by a Catholic priest Thursday but decided less than 40 minutes before his execution to seek a stay. McConnell, scheduled to die at 9 p.m. for shooting and stabbing a man in Reno who was dating his ex-girlfriend, sought the stay at 8:26 p.m. It was accepted by Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach by telephone. Media witnesses to McConnell's execution had filed into the grounds of the Nevada State Prison and were waiting to be escorted to the execution chamber when news of his change of heart was announced. Several members of the family of victim Brian Pierce were on hand to witness McConnell's execution. Corrections Department Director Jackie Crawford said there was "silence" when Pierce's family was given the news. About 20 protesters waited outside the prison grounds, carrying signs opposed to the death penalty. One sign said: "All killing is wrong." McConnell, 32, signed the stay after conferring with Assistant Federal Public Defender Michael Pescetta. Crawford said McConnell will be returned Monday to death row at Ely while his appeal of his death sentence is pursued. Chief Deputy Attorney General Gerald Gardner said McConnell was free at any time to pursue his appeal. "In the presence of a member of the federal public defender's office he signed documents requesting a stay of execution and requesting that a petition of post-conviction relief be filed on his behalf in the Second Judicial District Court in Reno, Nevada," he said. Gardner said he did not know the nature of the discussion between Pescetta and McConnell. But earlier in the day, Pescetta urged McConnell to file for a stay sooner rather than later, Gardner said. "At this point he still has many months left before he has to file a finalized post-conviction relief petition," Gardner said. Asked whether the last-minute delay was orchestrated, Gardner said that possibility seemed likely. "Based on some of the things Mr. McConnell has been saying in the last week, it certainly seems he was playing a game with the system," he said. Crawford said there is an expense in getting ready for an execution, but the department must follow through when a death row inmate decides to give up his appeals and voluntarily be executed. Of the 11 executions in Nevada since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977, all but one occurred when inmates dropped their appeals. Many years have passed since a death row inmate said he was going forward with his execution only to drop it at the last minute. The last was Jimmy Neuschafer, who was scheduled to be executed in December 1990 when he backed out six hours beforehand. Neuschafer died of natural causes in prison in 1998. Signs existed McConnell might not go through with his execution. In an interview at the prison Wednesday, McConnell said he would file an appeal if he did not get one last hug from his mother. McConnell was not allowed "contact" visits with family because of security concerns. But Crawford on Thursday allowed McConnell's mother and stepfather to have a contact visit, with McConnell remaining in restraints. McConnell's mother gave him a hug goodbye. In the 15-minute interview, McConnell said he used to believe in the death penalty but does not support it any more. He said he did not deserve to die for killing Pierce. "I just don't think that it's right to say what I did is wrong, and it's a state-sanctioned murder," he said of his impending execution. But McConnell also said Pierce did not deserve to die either. "Nobody has the right to take life," he said. McConnell was sentenced to death in July 2003. Besides killing Pierce, he raped his former girlfriend. In the interview, McConnell said his only regret was not killing his ex-girlfriend. Crawford said the previous two voluntary executions went forward without incident. "Making the noises and talking to the various media and some of the threats he's made, sometimes you begin to wonder if it's a manipulation of the process," she said.
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