Edward Bell's Execution

You really have to wonder what kind of sick, twisted person thinks it's good journalism to write this in such detail. You also have to wonder about the readers who think this is a perfectly normal, acceptable way to report a human being's death.

The attendants half-dragged, half-carried him to the table and affixed straps to his arms, legs, and chest.

At that point, curtains on the windows in two viewing rooms adjacent to the execution chamber were drawn.

About five minutes later, the curtains reopened.

The handcuffs had been removed, and Bell’s arms were stretched out and resting on wings that extended from the table. His wrists and hands were strapped to the wings.

Intravenous tubes had been inserted in the bends of Bell’s elbows. The tubes passed through a square hole cut into a dark-blue curtain behind his head.

Medical technicians, who remained unseen and whose names were not revealed, were behind the curtain to administer the deadly chemicals.

About a dozen prison officials were in the room with Bell when he offered his final words.

Upon a signal from Warden George M. Hinkle, the drugs were administered. The IV tubes jerked slightly.

Bell moved his left foot momentarily, and then was still.

Minutes later, a prison official announced: “The court’s order has been completed.”

Winchester Star

I think the names of the medical technicians should be revealed. I don't think there should be such protection and secrecy surrounding a murder. Like, in an electrocution, they have several levers so no one knows who pulled the lever that killed a man. It's ridiculous. I think if they are going to do these things, if they are going to kill human beings, they should be well aware of what they're doing, and have to face the guilt. Then maybe there won't be so many people willing to do it.

The saddest part of an execution, the part I think about every time, is not that a human being's life was lost, but that an innocent family is being torn apart and destroyed. Sure, there are people who are put to death who have no family, but for the most part, everyone has someone who cares about them. And those people who care about the condemned, are innocent people. They are innocent and yet they are punished. They are thrown into grief and sadness. The same as a murder victim's family. Something that I don't think many people really grasp, is the concept of innocence. Whether it's in the case of a wrongful conviction, or in the case of a murderer's family. People don't seem to understand, that family is just as innocent as the murder victim's family and why would anyone suffering the kind of loss that's suffered when a loved one is murdered, want another family to have to feel that?

The whole thing just sucks. I can't really put it any more eloquently. It just plain old sucks. Basically telling your public, "I'm going to kill you to teach you not to kill". It's ridiculous. The funny thing is, some people actually think it makes sense.

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