"After execution, I'm going to get a Burger King"

[kurth]

No execution for mentally ill
The Virginian-Pilot
June 8, 2006

Percy Levar Walton is scheduled to be executed tonight in the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. And as he's said, "After execution, I'm going to get a Burger King."

Walton has severe mental problems. The troubling question, for Gov. Tim Kaine and for all Virginians, is this: Is he sane enough to be killed by the state?

That the commonwealth is even considering injecting Walton, 27, with a lethal cocktail should shock the sensibilities of all Virginians. After several state and federal court appeals failed, his attorneys have now asked the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal district court and the governor to intervene and spare his life.

Their best hope probably lies with Kaine; he could grant clemency, but he'd have to overcome the political fallout that will accompany that decision. Kaine's personal opposition to the death penalty was a prominent issue during last year's gubernatorial campaign...

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=105652&ran=188887

[Nickster]

1. Fallout? The only polls I've ever heard about execution of mentally

handicapped inmates was that an overwhelming majority supported NOT executing them.

[LeftNYC]

2. These people are so hungry to kill...nt

[AX10]

3. I do not see the problem with Kaine granting clemecy.

He ran on this platform and he won.

[Tulum_Moon]

4. I have heard of an inmate

who upon his execution wrapped up his last meal to save for later. I don't have his name or anything, just thought it was the saddest thing ever.

[Jim__]

5. I believe that happened in Arkansas when Clinton was running for president

IIRC Clinton returned to Arkansas to "oversee" the execution.

There is somewhat of a story behind this. The inmate was sane and normal when he commited the crime (he may have killed a policeman, I'm not sure). In being captured, I think he was shot, maybe in the head and that led to brain damage.

But, executing mentally defective people is a barbarity.

[longship]

6. Executions themselves are a barbarity.

But unfortunately, with our prison system, so is a life sentence.
What to do?

[Ian David]

7. Well, the usual course of action in dealing with the criminally insane...

is that Bush gives them a "recess appointment."