Legal Commentary

8 Needles Later, FL Inmate Pronounced Dead

By Jeralyn

John Richard Marek was executed tonight in Florida as Gov. Charlie Christ and his staff monitored events from the Governor's office. 8 needles later, Mr. Marek was dead.

Gov. Christ allowed the AP to observe him for the 50 minutes before the execution, as he sat at his desk, reviewed the case file and had his staff check for any last minute stays with three courts.

6:05, "The needle has been inserted into the inmate's left arm."
- 6:06, "The inmate continues to remain calm."
- 6:09, "The needle has now been inserted in the inmate's right arm."
- 6:11, "The sheet that covers the inmate is now being placed over him."

[More...]

At 6:19, the medical team signed the final paperwork that the lethal injections could begin. Crist asked if McCollum was reporting any last minute stays. Atkinson told him no. "Is there anything from the Supreme Court?" Crist asked. Again, the answer was no.

"You may carry out the sentence," Crist said.

Then, the lethal injections began. ....Crist was updated at the start and finish of all eight. Atkinson relayed the details to McCollum. One minute later Reddish said Marek appeared unconscious.

At 6:24, three injections were complete and doctors checked to make sure Marek was unconscious. Twelve minutes later, the execution was over.

How gruesome, unnecessary and barbaric.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 19, 2009 (boomark / email).