Posted on 01/19/2005 6:50:00 PM PST by SmithL
Donald Beardslee's execution at San Quentin Prison Wednesday morning was a struggle for dignity.
The five guards who labored 16 minutes to insert the lethal injection needles into his arms struggled for composure, their lips tightening as they undoubtedly realized this was taking twice as long as usual.
The 30 witnesses gathered in the observation room to watch through the thick glass of the apple-green death chamber struggled to keep their cool as the minutes dragged on, shifting uncomfortably on their feet, crossing and uncrossing their arms. Nervous coughs were the only sounds breaking the tension.
And there, being put to death before all of us, the 61-year-old Beardslee seemed to struggle -- ever so slightly.
Once, as the triple-murderer was being led into the death chamber at 11:58 p.m. Tuesday by five prison guards, a look of concern or possibly worry flickered across his face. It was quickly replaced by a flatness of expression -- and when he was strapped by his ankles, chest and arms to the hospital-style gurney, he closed his eyes and lay so still he seemed asleep.
He never moved while the prison guards hunted for the right openings in his flesh from midnight to 12:16 a.m. Wednesday. But after the intravenous lines were finally taped to each arm and he was left alone to await the poisons that would end his life, he let his emotions leak one more time.
Beardslee's chest heaved two quick sighs at 12:18 a.m. -- the same minute unseen hands from behind the death chamber walls began to send chemicals through the plastic tubes toward his body -- as if to say, "OK, let's get on with it."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
finally.
Why bother trying to start an IV for the injection? Why not just use a 22.5 or 26 guage needle and a syringe? Veins are a lot easier to find with that fine point instead of a fire hose.
"Triple murderer" misses just a few supporting facts....
"Beardslee has spent two decades on death row for the 1981 murders of Patty Geddling, 23, and Stacey Benjamin, 19, who were killed after a soured drug deal when they were lured to a Redwood City apartment. Two others were convicted in the murders, but Beardslee, who confessed to participating in the crimes, was the only defendant to receive the death penalty.
At the time of the killings, Beardslee was on parole for the 1969 murder of a Missouri woman. Beardslee shot Geddling in the head and slit Benjamin's throat after she had been wounded by Frank Rutherford, who is serving a life prison term for the crime. Beardslee received the death sentence for the Geddling murder and a life term for the Benjamin slaying."
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/the_valley/10528796.htm?1c
That excerpt was about six paragraphs more than they needed to say he was executed, and apparently the author dragged it on further. It's also cute how the reporter, lacking any comment from the convict, just made one up : "OK, let's get on with it."
Buh-bye
I forgot to add that instead of using injections at all, they should just use a stamping press and get it all over with in less than 1/100th of a second. (Messy but certain, as well as extremely fast. No question of checking vital signs either when you're only 0.005" thick.)
These guys need more practice.
Heh, heh, thank you for making the distinction.
Why bother trying to start an IV for the injection? Why not just use a 22.5 or 26 guage needle and a syringe? Veins are a lot easier to find with that fine point instead of a fire hose.
Lead poisoning is even better, and cheaper!
Good riddance. May he rot in Hell.
Why those torturous prison guards!!! How dare they stick the pooooor victim multipletimes to find a good vein!
Cry me a river of tears............. Over two decades on death row is about 19 1/2 years more than the scumbag deserved to live.
hey, where's the eyewitness accounts of his murderous acts?
It must be helpful to be a psychic when writing news.
Let's see, this was a two-time loser (he was on parole from a previous murder conviction) who admitted to participating in the killing of these two people. He received all the benefits of due process provided by the laws of his State. His execution was carried out thirty years after the fact. And we're supposed to feel sorry for him? What about the two people who didn't get to live those thirty years because he took it upon himself to take their lives?
Why doesn't Mr. Fagan do a journalistic re-enactment of the final moments in the lives of the two victims?
I hope they used alcohol on the injection to keep infection from occurring.
".......lacking any comment from the convict, just made one up : "OK, let's get on with it."
Also, he just HAD to publicize that this sadistic fellow served in Vn. Will this ever stop?
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