FLORENCE, Ariz. – A condemned Arizona inmate gasped and snorted for more than an hour and a half during his execution Wednesday before he died in an episode sure to add to the scrutiny surrounding the death penalty in the U.S.
Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne's office said Joseph Rudolph Wood was pronounced dead at 3:49 p.m., one hour and 57 minutes after the execution started.
ADVERTISEMENT Wood's lawyers had filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court while the execution was underway, demanding that it be stopped. The appeal said Wood was "gasping and snorting for more than an hour."
Gov. Jan Brewer said later that she's ordering a full review of the state's execution process, saying she's concerned by how long it took for the administered drug protocol to kill Wood.
An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the execution saw Wood start gasping shortly after a sedative and a pain killer were injected into his veins. He gasped more than 600 times over the next hour and 40 minutes.
An administrator checked on Wood a half dozen times. His breathing slowed as a deacon said a prayer while holding a rosary. The 55-year-old finally stopped breathing and was pronounced dead 12 minutes later.
Defense lawyer Dale Baich called it a botched execution that should have taken 10 minutes.
"Arizona appears to have joined several other states who have been responsible for an entirely preventable horror — a bungled execution," Baich said. "The public should hold its officials responsible and demand to make this process more transparent."
Family members of Wood's victims said they had no problems with the way the execution was carried out.
"This man conducted a horrific murder and you guys are going, let's worry about the drugs," said Richard Brown, the brother-in-law of Debbie Dietz, who was 29 when she was killed in 1989. "Why didn't they give him a bullet, why didn't we give him Drano?"
I say to bad we had to pay to incarcerate, hospitalize, trial this peace of slime, to bad the cops that arrested him weren't better shots and killed him while they tried to arrest him, to bad he didn't suffer more during his execution !
Joseph Wood shot and killed his estranged girlfriend, Debra Dietz, and her father, Eugene Dietz, on August 7th, 1989 at a Tucson automotive paint and body shop owned and operated by the Dietz family.
Since 1984, Joseph and Debra had maintained a tumultuous relationship increasingly fueled by Woods’s abusive and violent behavior. Eugene generally disapproved of this relationship, but did not actively interfere. In fact, the Dietz family often invited Joe to dinners and other social activities & events. Several times, however, Eugene refused to let Joseph visit Debra during business hours, while she was working at the shop. On the other hand, Joseph Wood disliked Eugene and told him he would “get him back” and that Eugene would “be sorry.”
Debra had rented an apartment that she shared with Joseph. Because Wood was seldom employed, Debra supported him as well financially. Wood nevertheless assaulted Debra periodically. At some point she finally tried to end the destructive relationship after a fight during the 1989, 4th of July weekend. She left her apartment and moved in with her parents, saying “I don’t want any more of this.” After Debra left, Joseph ransacked and vandalized the apartment. She obtained an order of protection against Wood later on July 8th, 1989. In the following weeks, however, Joseph repeatedly tried to contact Debra at the shop, her parents’ home, or her apartment. Debra was often bruised and sometimes wore sunglasses to hide blackened eyes. A neighbor who heard “thuds and banging” within Debra’s apartment called police on June 30th, 1989, after finding Debra outside in a “hysterical” mood. The responding officer saw cuts and bruises on Debra.
Joe Wood left at least 10 messages on Debra’s apartment answering machine on the night of Friday, August 4th, 1989. Some messages contained threats of harm, such as: “Debbie, I’m sorry I have to do this. I hope someday somebody will understand when we’re not around no more. I do love you babe. I’m going to take you with me.”
punishment, eh? apart from the detrimental effect on our own humanity, there is constitutional protection against "cruel and unusual punishment". shall we simply ignore parts of the constitution when our desire for retribution demands it? why not just chuck the whole bill of rights when it's convenient? after all, it only protects criminals.
punishment, eh? apart from the detrimental effect on our own humanity, there is constitutional protection against "cruel and unusual punishment". shall we simply ignore parts of the constitution when our desire for retribution demands it? why not just chuck the whole bill of rights when it's convenient? after all, it only protects criminals.
His punishment was death. Facing death is not a simple thing, that's why it is the punishment.
The reason we don't beat him for hours, then kill him is because that makes us no better than him.
I'm not against the death penalty. I am against keeping people on death row for decades, and I am against executions like this one was.
I say to bad we had to pay to incarcerate, hospitalize, trial this peace of slime, to bad the cops that arrested him weren't better shots and killed him while they tried to arrest him, to bad he didn't suffer more during his execution !
Says the person who was once incarcerated himself.
I wonder what kind of capital punishment Jesus would support.
The kind that is just.
just adjective 1. guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness: We hope to be just in our understanding of such difficult situations. 2. based on right; rightful; lawful: a just claim. 3. in keeping with truth or fact; true; correct: a just analysis. 4. given or awarded rightly; deserved, as a sentence, punishment, or reward: a just penalty.
I wonder what kind of capital punishment Jesus would support.
Well, I guess until Jesus starts sending down lightning bolts to fry the people who would willfully kill an innocent human being then it leaves the burden to others. Can you tell I`m from Texas and for Capital Punishment.
I can't say that I'm a particular supporter of capital punishment; but I'm not strictly against it. I think it is probably better to resort to it only in the most extraordinary cases. Genocide. Political assassinations. Political, ethnic or religiously motivated killing sprees. I have not stopped to read what this Arizona case was about.
I say use a gallows and a hangman. No one available with hangman's skills? Advertise for it, hire for it and train 'em up! I guess in today's PC and gender-equaled world it would have to be "Opening for hang-person. No experience required, federally funded training program open to anyone who can read and write English at a high school graduate level. Must be comfortable with basic arithmetic, as there is a requirement to use drop height tables indexed by body weight. Promptness and reliability a must. Drug screening mandatory. Must be fully able physically and comfortable lifting up to 35 pounds. Must be ready to respond to cell phone calls when off duty. Must be comfortable working graveyard shifts and weekends on an unpredictable schedule, as new tasks may call for going on-site on short notice. Job requires frequent domestic travel nationwide, including Alaska and Hawaii. Expected to attend professional meetings for advanced training and tech/process updates, sometimes in foreign countries. U.S. Passport eligibility is required. Military veterans are eligible for hiring preference."
I don't like the idea of a firing squad, guillotine, or even decapitation by sword. I think that could be seen as too "honorable" or "honorific", because of historical precedence. Too many historical celebrities with somewhat appealing sides to their character have been dispatched by those methods over the centuries. I think that a cleanly executed hanging sets the right tone. And what's the worst that could happen? Maybe they don't get the drop height spot on for the client's body weight, and there's a decapitation or other mangling of the body. Or the client doesn't die as quickly and painlessly as intended. Happened to Saddam Hussein when they hanged him in Iraq. T.S. No human designed system is perfect.
My two cents worth.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 07-24-2014).]
I wonder what kind of capital punishment Jesus would support.
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" John 8:7
I wonder what the priest with the rosary thought of this at the execution.
I'm against capital punishment due to the inevitable human factor (execution of innocents can never be prevented 100%) but regarding this execution: how hard can it be to kill someone quickly???
And to all the gung-ho, tough on crime, hang 'em high people in this thread: Sharia is for you and Saudi-Arabia is your place. Nothing like order and rule of divine law!
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 07-24-2014).]
Are you suggesting Jesus promotes no earthly punishment?
Hey, I don't even think that a historical Jesus existed the way he's portrayed in religious texts. But how would you interpret these quotes from bible-Jesus? That guy seemed rather non-violent and non-revenge to me when I read "his" book.
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 07-24-2014).]
Hey, I don't even think that a historical Jesus existed the way he's portrayed in religious texts. But how would you interpret these quotes from bible-Jesus? That guy seemed rather non-violent and non-revenge to me when I read "his" book.
Yes non revenge, but not against justice.
"The natural human tendency has been to seek the emotional satisfaction of revenge for perceived injury. Our instinctive response to any kind of injury is hatred and desire for vengeance. We are called to love a sinner while confronting his sin, but when we seek vengeance we are motivated by hatred—a desire to make someone suffer for what they have done to us. What Jesus asks of His followers is not passivity, but surrender of the right to personal revenge. His three radical examples make His point about the attitude we should have toward those who wrong us. Rather than getting even, we should be willing to go to the opposite extreme. If Matthew 5:38-48 were taken literally at all times, we would have to let everyone take advantage of us. Turning the other cheek would become an encouragement for evil." http://questions.org/attq/w...k-matthew-539%c2%a0/
To me, capital punishment is mostly about revenge (just consider how the title of this thread is worded...) and it's not needed for justice to be done. I guess that's why most civilized countries don't have or don't use capital punishment these days. With the exception of the US, it's pretty much all dictatorships and theocracies that still do.
In any case, how is it that a vet can come to my home and euthanize my cat (she was terminally ill with cancer), painlessly and within one minute and a team of trained executioners in a professional facility can't get this to work?
To me, capital punishment is mostly about revenge (just consider how the title of this thread is worded...) and it's not needed for justice to be done.
For some individuals it can be about that sure, (the point of my last post ) But it is not about that, and shouldnt be about that. It is about justice and the protection of the everyday non criminal citizens by enforcement of a system of law.
In any case, how is it that a vet can come to my home and euthanize my cat (she was terminally ill with cancer), painlessly and within one minute and a team of trained executioners in a professional facility can't get this to work?
For some individuals it can be about that sure, (the point of my last post ) But it is not about that, and shouldnt be about that. It is about justice and the protection of the everyday non criminal citizens by enforcement of a system of law.
And how does an execution accomplish that any better than alternative forms of justice? And is it worth the risk of executing any innocent person? It's not like it hasn't happened already...
And how does an execution accomplish that any better than alternative forms of justice? And is it worth the risk of executing any innocent person? It's not like it hasn't happened already...
140 exonerated, so the system did work. I understand its controversial no doubt. There are an awful lot of safety measures.
"Even though our justice system is flawed in ways, due to sinful and imperfect men who are in it, there are still many checks and balances to keep innocent people from being executed wrongly:
1.The criminal trial itself, by a jury of 12 impartial people. 2.Evidence must be produced to show guilt beyond a shadow of doubt. 3.The judge must agree that the trial was fair and can order a new trial if he finds irregularities. 4. DNA Genetic Testing [5. Appeals]
As Christians, we must pray that honest, fair and godly men and women will be selected to serve as judges, wardens, and other positions that operate our judicial and penal systems. This is one of the greatest deterrents for people being wrongly charged with all crimes. Even though the possibility exists for the innocent to be executed unjustly, the alternative is far worse. If evil men are allowed to go unpunished, evil would eventually take over. If we want a fair judicial system we must work at changing it by prayer, involvement, serving, voting, etc. Complaining about the system will never change it. Change must begin in us." http://bibleresources.org/capital-punishment/
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 07-24-2014).]
And then there are those that have received a full pardon after being executed. You don't think that all innocents will be detected by any system?
quote
Originally posted by 2.5:As Christians, we must pray that honest, fair and godly men and women will be selected to serve as judges, wardens, and other positions that operate our judicial and penal systems.
Plenty of evidence to the contrary, praying won't help much to ameliorate the situation IMO.
quote
Originally posted by 2.5:Even though the possibility exists for the innocent to be executed unjustly, the alternative is far worse. If evil men are allowed to go unpunished, evil would eventually take over.
That's just BS. It's not like the alternatives are execution or let them go free. If someone goes to prison being innocent and the innocence is proven years later, that person can still be released (if they haven't died from natural causes, of course). Not so easy with capital punishment...
Capital punishment is also more expensive than life in prison (exactly because of all the safeguards that are necessary). So the only reasons to do it are revenge (and we agree that that's not a valid reason) or deterrence. And I don't think there's evidence that capital punishment works as a deterrent.
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 07-24-2014).]
Why is there concern lately about execution chemicals being dangerous? And why is it so hard? Carbon monoxide the colorless odorless gas that kills so many seems like a perfectly good technique. I am against capital punishment though because of the expense and the inabilty to rectify a mistaken judgment once carried out. Life with no parole for those extreme cases would be my choice even though I am uncomfortable with societies having to support them.
Capital punishment is also more expensive than life in prison (exactly because of all the safeguards that are necessary). So the only reasons to do it are revenge (and we agree that that's not a valid reason) or deterrence.
No, justice is still the reason.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 07-24-2014).]
The only thing I have against the death penalty is that if somewhere in the years to come if the person who commited the murder might find their conscience they don`t have to live with the agony of their actions. Death as opposed to life without parole is for some an easy way out. I do think that the death penalty should only be used in cases where there is absolute guilt. I mean if you shoot a bunch of people in broad daylight in front of a number of witnesses or you are caught on video then there is little question of guilt.
[This message has been edited by TXGOOD (edited 07-24-2014).]
The death penalty prevents a second offense. I am so tired of career criminals getting back on the streets and repeat their criminal activity, then be housed and cared for by the taxpayer.
The death penalty prevents a second offense. I am so tired of career criminals getting back on the streets and repeat their criminal activity, then be housed and cared for by the taxpayer.
The alternative to a crime that's punishable by death would be life without parole anyways so where's the problem? Plus, death row is insanely expensive due to all the safeguards against human error.
I would just like to see prison time made back into hard time - bring back the chain gangs and such. Make them work it off instead of 'lounging around' in their cells.
The alternative to a crime that's punishable by death would be life without parole anyways so where's the problem? Plus, death row is insanely expensive due to all the safeguards against human error.
The taxpayer is still paying for their upkeep for 20-40 years. Their lawyers are bilking the taxpayer with the multiple appeals. Far too many appeals. A $0.50 bullit would reduce the execution cost.
The death penalty prevents a second offense. I am so tired of career criminals getting back on the streets and repeat their criminal activity, then be housed and cared for by the taxpayer.
Theres the BEST answer.
Someone tell me for what reason would we want someone (whos convicted) who murders a man and his wife and 4 kids, to be kept alive at taxpayer expense. Executions should be carried out within 30 days of conviction to me...by any means that results in death. Hes prob never going to get out (but possible), so whats the point of housing and feeding him 40 years. Only one I can see is so the politically correct can feel good about themselves.
Executions should be carried out within 30 days of conviction to me...
You are aware that there have been hundreds of exonerations of death row inmates in the US alone? Is saving taxpayer dollars worth the death of innocents to you? Way to go!
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 07-24-2014).]
The taxpayer is still paying for their upkeep for 20-40 years. Their lawyers are bilking the taxpayer with the multiple appeals. Far too many appeals. A $0.50 bullit would reduce the execution cost.
You just described the Chinese justice system. Way to go!
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 07-24-2014).]
Someone tell me for what reason would we want someone (whos convicted) who murders a man and his wife and 4 kids, to be kept alive at taxpayer expense. Executions should be carried out within 30 days of conviction to me...by any means that results in death. Hes prob never going to get out (but possible), so whats the point of housing and feeding him 40 years. Only one I can see is so the politically correct can feel good about themselves.
And what happens when you have a crooked cop or bad lawyer and the wrong person is convicted? I guess you would say "too bad, should have got a better lawyer"? ,
I want capital punishment to be an option I do not trust the government to have power over life & death tho, I am surprised by how many have such faith & trust in our government. usaully doesnt sound that way. but, maybe they recently got some hope & change
and, those who say "he didnt deserve to die that way" include the writers of the US constitution, tho WTF did they know, right?
And what happens when you have a crooked cop or bad lawyer and the wrong person is convicted? I guess you would say "too bad, should have got a better lawyer"? ,
Yep, nothings perfect. IF OJ and Casey Anthony can get off with a good lawyer, anyone else should too....especially if they arent guilty. I rather see a few wrongly convicted and executed than the many more that are guilty that get off, and usually do the same thing over again when they do get out.
Capital punishment is meant to be a punishment, not a painless humane way to die.
