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.
__________
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
This is absolutely ridicules. Just read on Drudge they postponed the execution. If he is so afraid of pain a good stiff shot of pain killer would end it all painlessly.
It has been more painful for the watchers than the executee.
I was in bed. I'm glad I didn't stay up.
Perhaps it will be in prime time tonight so we can have a good live dead thread.
Actually, this could be good mental torture for Morales.
We need to have a DEATH PENALTY CHALLENGE with Texas, complete with online betting.
He must feel it is like that movie Groundhog Day
I remain absolutely LIVID about this.
The Governor might be able to order a state paid anesthesiologist to SQ for the execution.
Remember everybody, this was all put into motion by a Clinton appointed judge, so whenever I see posters on FR saying they'll vote for Hitlery over McCain or Rudy, I just want to slap them.
* * * * * SEE YOU ALL AT 7:30 PM PACIFIC * * * * *
By Laurie Isola, Bay City News Service
February 21, 2006
San Quentin State Prison Warden Steven Ornoski will move forward with the execution of Michael Morales at 7:30 p.m. today, according to prison spokesman Vernell Crittendon.
Morales' execution has already experienced delays. The most recent delay came when two anesthesiologists appointed to be present during the execution voiced ethical concerns, Crittendon announced.
Crittendon read from a statement, minutes before the announcement that the execution would be moved to 7:30 p.m., from the two anesthesiologists:
"The February 20 delivery of an opinion by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals raised serious questions about a possible responsibility to personally intervene in the execution of Mr. Morales, if any evidence of either pain or a return to consciousness arose. Any such intervention would clearly be medically unethical. As a result, we have withdrawn from participation in this current process. The District Court Order that followed the publication of the 9th Circuit Opinion does not sufficiently allay our concerns.
"While we contemplated a positive role that might enable us to verify a humane execution protocol for Mr. Morales, what is being asked of us now is ethically unacceptable."
Crittendon could not confirm what was said in the district court order.
He said the 7:30 p.m. execution will not include anesthesiologists, but will use a second option made available to the prison by the court. The option to be used will be a five gram injection of sodium pentothal.
Will someone please embed a countdown clock on this thread?
Will a .357 do ?
'will use a second option made available to the prison'
Most Freepers always have that option very nearby.
All I have to say to Morales is adios, muchacho.
I got the beer and popcorn ready.
Aye. Hour and a half from now.
Hope he's made his peace, he'll stand befor his creator in a short while. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes.
ABC radio news is saying it might not happen. State cannot comply with court order for medical professional to be involved. If they can't do him tonight, it looks like the original judge who signed the death warrant now favors clemency. THE SCUMBAG MAY LIVE! UNBELIEVABLE!
They have to juice him on the 21st or his death warrant expires. The last I heard they were going to juice him with an overdose of a sedative at about 7:30 pacific time tonight. No anesthesiologist needed because all he's getting is the painkiller. lots of it.
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