Va. Killer Executed by Electric Chair

AP ^ | 7/20/6 | KRISTEN GELINEAU

[SmithL]

Jarratt, Va. (AP) --

A man convicted of raping and murdering a 23-year-old woman was executed Thursday, becoming the first person in the United States to die in the electric chair in more than two years.

Meanwhile, a child sex offender was executed in Texas for abducting and killing a 5-year-old girl.

In Virginia, Brandon Hedrick, 27, was pronounced dead at the Greensville Correctional Center at 9:12 p.m. after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeals and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine denied his request for clemency.

"I pray for the people that are unsaved," Hedrick said in his final words. "I'm ready to go and be free."

Hedrick chose the electric chair because he was apparently unnerved by the prospect of lethal injection. Virginia inmates have the option of choosing to die by injection or electrocution. Three other Virginia inmates have opted for the electric chair over injection since the state began giving inmates the choice in 1995.

Last week, several guards showed up at Hedrick's cell late at night to present him with a form on which he was told to choose his execution method, Hedrick's attorney Robert Lee said.

The guards "begin talking about lethal injection — talking about being strapped down to the table, being made to wait long periods of time, the difficulty sometimes in finding a vein," Lee said. "That information coupled with general frustration produced this result."

Lethal injection was adopted by many states in recent decades after it was portrayed as more humane than other methods of execution. But defense attorneys in recent months have argued around the country that the combination of drugs can in some cases cause excruciating pain. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that death row inmates can challenge lethal injection as a civil rights issue.

[RMrattlesnake]

Na Na Na _ Na Na Na - hay hay good bye. Rapist killer. Thank GOD FOR Justice.

[HighWheeler]

This is the POS on the left, his victim on the right.

[flynmudd]

Yep, Texas and Virginia. One my home state TX, the other where I live VA. Both fry guys. When people start weeping for the criminal, I remind them that the victim's fate was not at their choice. The criminal chose to kill so can suffer the consequences.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

[mkjessup]

"...it is never hard to staff a torture chamber. I suppose you gentelmen would be just glowing if you lived a society where that was permitted...Your statement are absolutely without morals or conscience and totally bent on a barbaric vengeance likely combined with a slightly sociopathic blood-lust.

Speaking for those gentelmen, I submit that their desire for barbaric vengeance is only directed at the murdering scumbags in our society who have too long enjoyed prolonging their lives on Death Row by playing the system with their allies in the ACLU and the Lamestream Media, when in fact they should have fried like bacon in a hot iron skillet for their crimes many, many years ago.

Now being a free Country, you have every right to let your heart bleed for the criminal element who would slit your throat or rape your daughter at the drop of a hat. I'm sure they appreciate your sentiments.

I, on the other hand, stand with those "gentelmen" you deplore and say "AN EYE FOR AN EYE".

And do have a nice day.

[carmenbmw]

The Va case happened in my town. The other guy convicted, who got life, I think, tried to find work at my house once.
These guys didnt just rape and kill the poor girl, they tortured her for HOURS and finally had her leaned over the river bank telling her they were going to shoot her, and they finally did.
Her last 10+ hours of life must have been beyond horrific.
The electric chair is ok by me!

[CORedneck]

I prefer eternity in non-smoking :) with water available.

>>"I pray for the people that are unsaved," Hedrick said in his final words. "I'm ready to go and be free."

>Well, Brandon, for your sake, I hope you repented and made your peace and you're up there with Jesus and the good thief...because the alternative doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.

[reagan_fanatic]

[AxelPaulsenJr]

The electric chair choice was nothing more than a failed attempt to get his execution set aside.

[Unicorn]

Hang the bozo.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Someone was put to death in Vermont recently.

The Federal prisoner, convicted in Vermont, was transferred to Indiana to be executed. Most Federal executions occur in Indiana. Suppose we could call the Federal 'lectric chair the Wabash Cannonball.

[Kenton]

The guards "begin talking about lethal injection — talking about being strapped down to the table, being made to wait long periods of time, the difficulty sometimes in finding a vein," Lee said. "That information coupled with general frustration produced this result."

LOL... sounds about as bad to me as donating blood. The perp just goes to sleep.

I think the guards played a little joke on this scumbag. I wonder if, after strapping him into the electric chair, they quipped "feel free to smoke"...

[stuartcr]

I knew there would be no problem with Gov Kaine.

[SmithL]

At least the rope is reusable.

[whd23]

I don't get it. Why is the guy from "The Kids in the Hall" on the box?

I don't get it either, but that dude's not from KITH.

[Brian Allen]

<< "Come on, The Island of Dr. Moreau wasn't that bad!"

Yes it was. >>

Thank you.

[Brian Allen]

<< Your statements are absolutely without morals or conscience and totally bent on a barbaric vengeance ... >>

Nailed it.

[colorado tanker]

The only effect of that decision was to let the plaintiffs try to prove their claim. Scalia and Thomas were not endorsing the plaintiff's position.

[dangus]

I presume he was some serial killer. (cereal killer?). The comment about Kids in the Hall was meant as a wise crack. I did a little research. This is Chris McCullough.

Not the best photo for pointing out the resemblance, but it'll do... Cause, he does sorta look like a serial killer.

[montag813]

However the United States bars cruel and unusual punishment. Your statement are absolutely without morals or conscience and totally bent on a barbaric vengeance likely combined with a slightly sociopathic blood-lust.

Sounds about right. Yes, I believe wholeheartedly in "barbaric vengeance". Howevever I do not believe the state should do the vengeance, but rather the families of the victims. They should put the convicted animals in a room and let the family in with their choice of implements to do away with the subhuman demon in any manner they choose. That is justice.