State (TN) warms up electric chair for first time since 1960

Cnn.com ^ | September 11, 2007 | AP

[RDTF]

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- An electric chair slated to be used in the state's first execution by electrocution since 1960 was tested Monday and is ready to go, prison officials said.

The chair, scheduled to be used in the execution of convicted killer Daryl Holton early Wednesday, was tested by running currents through a "test load box that is designed to simulate a human body," said state Department of Correction spokeswoman Dorinda Carter.

The test lasts about 35 seconds -- "the amount of time we believe it takes to cause death at 1,750 volts," she said.

Holton, a Gulf War veteran, confessed to killing his three young sons and their half-sister with an assault rifle on November 30, 1997. He told police that he killed the children because his ex-wife hadn't let him see them for several months, and that he had intended to kill his ex-wife and himself but instead turned himself in.

Holton chose the electric chair over the state's preferred execution method, lethal injection. Under Tennessee law, death row inmates can choose between the electric chair and lethal injection if their crimes were committed before 1999.

Holton, 45, came within a day of being executed a year ago before getting a stay from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal. He was also among four death row inmates whose executions were postponed in February, when Gov. Phil Bredesen placed a 90-day moratorium on the death penalty.

-snip-

[ejonesie22]

Good to see Tennessee bring back the sizzle...

[Jaysun]

Sounds like he’s ready to go. Wrap him in foil and set him down.

[in hoc signo vinces]

“Ol’Sparky” back in action...

[Dixie Yooper]

I wonder if there is a way to do this with wind power? It might take a little longer, but it's the Green thing to do.

[RDTF]

[Sax]

"Hey, hold these a minute, will ya?"

[fatnotlazy]

But, but, but, but....it’s so inhumane!

(She said sarcastically)

[Billthedrill]

Why does the criminal get to decide? Wouldn’t it be fairer to let the family of the victim decide?

[laotzu]

The test lasts about 35 seconds -- "the amount of time we believe it takes to cause death at 1,750 volts,"

If they would add a little amperage to that it wouldn't take nearly as long.

[Joe Boucher]

Pretty disappointed. I was hoping it was for Al and Tipper Gore.

[Mountain Troll]

It’s easier on the cleanup crew if they don’t have to scrape him off the chair afterwards.

[weegee]

He’s the father of the victims.

[Sax]

Shock and Ahhh, F*** him.

[Billthedrill]

Details. (Note to self - read the FReepin' article again)

Anyway, the route he's chosen is a somewhat nasty one, IMHO. Punishing himself, perhaps?

[krogers58]

The test lasts about 35 seconds -- "the amount of time we believe it takes to cause death at 1,750 volts,"
If they would add a little amperage to that it wouldn't take nearly as long.

As I understand it, they need to allow the voltage and current to run that long, to essentially boil off the adrenaline in the bloodstream, so the heart doesn't re-start. I believe the electrical disturbance essentially stops the heart muscle, almost immediately but they do need to make sure it doewn't restart. There is a guy who made this all pretty much a science, you can google FRED A. LEUCHTER and you'll probably learn way more than you want to know about these subjects.

[cyclotic]

Warm up ol’ Sparky and ride the lightning bolt into eternity

[Erasmus]

I wonder if they’ve thought of Teflon.

[CPOSharky]

If they would add a little amperage to that it wouldn't take nearly as long.

To increase current (amperes), either the voltage has to be increased or the resistance has to be decreased.