Someone asked me yesterday why I wanted to witness an execution. People have been asking me that since I volunteered for the assignment. In 22 plus years of writing this is the only assignment I've never had to cover or had the opportunity to cover. It's an important story and one with a lot of emotion, complex issues and human lives at stake. It's not just about the man on death row - it's about the families affected by the murder.
When Christopher Scott Emmett killed John Fenton Langley, he killed a part of Langley's mother, brother, son and daughter, nieces, nephews and relatives for generations to come. Part of the Langley legacy will be, "John was murdered." Part of the Emmett legacy will be, "Emmet killed."
To be able to witness and write about significant challenges in the middle of the emotional demands of the execution, of the family - it's a tremendously sacred thing which - I think, makes me both a better journalist and a better person. We take on challenges - personal or professional, to become better - I think. And that is why I do it. If I can learn compassion, or forgiveness or how to be neutral and balanced in the midst of an emotional windstorm - then I become a better person.
5 comments:
THere is also the family of Christopher Emmett. They also are part of this story. While Mr. Emmett is being killed, they will go through a whole complex of emotions, and need support. They are the new victims.
Rebecca, you might want to look at this website from Dale and Susan Recinella - lay ministers to death row inmates and their families, as well as families of the victims:
http://www.iwasinprison.org/
Rebecca:
I've been to several Virginia executions in the past. It's a very swift, professional and no-nonsense affair.
The inmate will walk in the door at about 8:55 PM or so, dressed in a blue short sleeve shirt, long blue pants and shower sandals. He'll take three steps into the room, then be pushed down on the gurney. The curtains will then close -- the i.v. lines will be set in his arms, then they will reopen about 4 minutes later.
The injections usually begin right about 9:02 or so -- inmate will quickly fall asleep, turn grey and be still. He'll be pronounced as deceased 5 minutes after going flat line on the heart monitor. Then the curtains will be closed and you'll be led back out to the van and driven to the front of the institution.
Mr. David Bass of the Va. Dept. of Corrections will be your guide. He's been there with the witnesses for all 90 or so executions that have occurred at Greensville. He's a very friendly, intelligent man -- so please be nice to him and don't ask provocative questions.
Give him my regards from Blacksburg!
hard to believe that the taking of a human life can be made so clinical, non-emotional, business-as-usual and cold.
I guess that's why they call it, "cold blooded murder".
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