The Mechanics of the Firing Squad for Ronnie Lee Gardner (Utah-Midnight)

ABC ^ | June 17, 2010 | RAY SANCHEZ

[Second Amendment First]

Sometime after midnight Friday, Ronnie Lee Gardner is to be strapped into a chair in the execution chamber at the state prison in Draper, Utah. A black hood is to be slipped over the bald head of the 49-year-old convicted killer, if he wishes. A small circular target will be pinned over his heart.

It has been 14 years since rifles were last fired in a state execution. Barring a last-minute reprieve, Gardner will be only the third person to die before a firing squad in Utah  or anywhere else in the nation  since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

The simple mechanics of an old fashioned execution by firing squad are cold blooded, efficient and have just a hint of consideration for the person living his last moments.

[Slump Tester]

"Can never understand the last meal thing....who could have an appetite under those circumstances?"

I would want whatever would make the biggest, smelliest, grossest mess for them to have to clean up later. Lots of liqiud, too.

[fso301]

They will aim at the target on Gardner's heart from about 25 feet away. Four of the five rifles will be loaded with live rounds. The weapon with the blank round is unknown.

From the recoil, the shooter will know if he fired a blank or not. The blank cartridge is more for the relief of those in the public unfamiliar with firearms IMO.

That the shooters may miss the official target and instead strike him in the knees, groin and gut may have nothing to do with one of their rifles having been loaded with a blank or not.

[Gen.Blather]

LUCASVILLE, Ohio – A lawyer for a condemned inmate in the state death chamber says execution team members have taken a break after struggling to access the inmate’s veins.

There’s a big one called the penis...

[unixfox]

If it were .22's the press would still describe them as "powerful".

Or assault weapons.

[al baby]

I hope it makes it to you tube

[mquinn]

I thought they did away with this after Gary Gilmore?

[The Sons of Liberty]

I would purposely aim for an area that would cause the most pain, but not necessarily be fatal. Make the b*stard suffer. I’m sure he didn’t care whether his victims suffered.

[STONEWALLS]

“I would prefer this over the drug thing, too.

Much more of a manly death.”

....I agree....and even better if the condemned publically repents for his sins, apoligizes to the victim’s families, refuses the hood and takes his punishment like a man...kind of a code-of-the-old-west thing...

[Myrddin]

The law was changed AFTER Gardner was convicted and sentenced. He has the option of firing squad lethal injection. Sentences after the change in the law specify lethal injection. The condemned no longer has a choice.

[SW6906]

"The five anonymous riflemen, all state law enforcement officers..."

Darn, I was hoping they were going to ask for volunteers.

[SW6906]

"I would want whatever would make the biggest, smelliest, grossest mess for them to have to clean up later. Lots of liquid, too."

Funny, I was thinking something along the same lines. ;o)

[Pajama Blogger]

Ready, Aim, Light My Fire

[BooBoo1000]

They should have sold raffle tickets for a month before hand.
then taken him out and chained him to a big tree stump, but one not really big enough to hide behind.Then a drawing for order of shooters, and let them blast away. Use any gun they wished, and the state would have raised millions of dollars for the victim's family

[Secret Agent Man]

Chipotle for you, then.

[Pollster1]

This guy richly deserves execution, as do just about all the evil predators that I see listed on death row. Fortunately, he’s white, so it may be a little easier to execute him . . . 25 years after his crime.

[Lou Budvis]

Agreed. Beats hanging, the once traditional penalty for common criminals or being gassed or put to sleep like a stray dog.

[RickB444]

Maybe he will request a last cig so they will tell him he can’t smoke inside and he will have to step outside to puff up. At which time he will make his escape.

[Eagles6]

I thought they used 30-06.

[TXnMA]

A single pistol round to the medulla oblongata via the foramen magnum is far more humane. (No "I've been shot!" few seconds of realization...)

[IamConservative]

I would want whatever would make the biggest, smelliest, grossest mess for them to have to clean up later.

Sounds like Ryan's Steakhouse Chili Mac Buffet is for you.. :)

Normally, flies are trying to tear their way into the outhouse. Ryan's Chili Mac makes them try to tear their way out!