Posted on 02/20/2006 9:39:36 PM PST by doug from upland
Edited on 02/21/2006 1:53:21 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
UPDATE: CDC OFFICIAL CALLS MORALES 'UPBEAT' AND 'COOPERATIVE' 02/20/06 8:55 PST SAN QUENTIN (BCN)
In the hours before his execution at San Quentin State Prison, condemned inmate Michael Morales met only with his legal team and has been described by a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation official as "upbeat'' and "cooperative.''
Morales, 46, was moved into what is known as the death watch cell at 6 p.m. today, according to CDC spokeswoman Elaine Jennings.
The move came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Morales' final two appeals.
Jennings said Morales has been described as "upbeat'' and "very positive.'' He has also been "very cooperative'' with prison staff, she said.
He did not meet with family members or a spiritual adviser today.
Morales picked a last meal; however, details about the meal, as well as his last words, will be disclosed by the prison's warden after the execution.
Morales is scheduled to be executed Tuesday morning by lethal injection for the 1981 murder of 17-year-old Terri Winchell of Lodi.
Then 21, Morales strangled Winchell with a belt, beat her over the head with a hammer, then pulled her body into a vineyard where he raped her and stabbed her to death.
As part of a federal judge's order, an anesthesiologist will be present in the execution chamber to ensure that Morales is unconscious before his final drugs are administered, according to Jennings.
The anesthesiologist will not be identified and may choose to hide his identity, possibly using a surgical mask, Jennings said. An alternate anesthesiologist will be just outside the chamber.
Jennings said the drug cocktail -- 5 grams of sodium pentothal to stop muscle movement, 50 cc of pancuronium bromide to stop breathing and 50 cc of potassium chloride to stop the heart -- will remain the same during Tuesday's execution.
"This is our protocol,'' Jennings said, adding that her agency believes the lethal injection process is "humane'' and "painless.''
Five of Winchell's family members will be present during the execution. Morales has designated two witnesses, according to Jennings.
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Update: Morales Execution Delayed
Feb 21, 2006 1:19 am US/Pacific
(BCN) SAN FRANCISCO The execution of condemned inmate Michael Morales has been delayed for at least one hour while the execution team reviews its roles during the process, according to San Quentin spokesman Vernell Crittendon.
San Quentin State Prison Warden Steven Ornoski wants to go over additional training for some of the new members of the execution team, which includes two anesthesiologists, Crittendon said.
Crittendon announced the delay at 11:30 p.m.
As part of a Federal Judge's recent order an anesthesiologist will be present in the execution chamber to insure Morales is unconscious before the final drugs are administered. An alternate anesthesiologist will be just outside the chamber.
Morales was scheduled to be executed today by lethal injection for the 1981 murder of 17-year-old Terri Winchell of Lodi.
Crittendon said Morales had not been notified of the delay. He said the execution warrant is good for 24 hours.
"There is no need for us to rush into this if the warden is not completely comfortable with the process," he said.
This is not the first execution to experience delays.
(Bay City News)
Morales Execution Delayed
On my way to bed. Hope this creeps life will have been ended before I log on again. Nite all.
they've endured this for the last 25 years now
Nite, you.
OB/GYN, Radiologists, and Neurosurgeons rates are high also.
Some get into the meds. Big problem with that.
Big time. It's really sad, IMO. I guess the temptation is too much to take. Or the pressure is more than they can handle. I haven't figured it out yet. But it's definitely a waste of talent.
I have to sneak upstairs. I'll be back in an hour and a half when he gets up...lol.
There's a few current politicians with MD/JP degrees.
Dan Broderick was a medical doctor and a lawyer who specialized in personal injury lawsuits. His ex-wife Betty, shot him dead.
'I'll be back in an hour and a half when he gets up'
Hey! Don't get personal here..... ;-)
STAND DOWN THE EXECUTION
Anesthesiologists withdraw their participation
There are concerns that the convicted may feel some pain or discomfort during the procedure..hmmm.. put 2 rounds of .45 ACP +P through his head first.
He won't feel a thing after that.
True to my word... I am back, however temporary...lol.
Delayed. Well, this beats all.
Whilst you two were sleeping... the cretin's execution has been delayed.
G'Nite from me to you.
good night, get some rest
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