Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 6, 2006 13:02:28 GMT -5
Gov's Stay Staement" DP Must Be in Humane Manner"----Rounds: 'I made the
hard decision to ensure the execution ... by the book'
[Editor's note: Gov. Mike Rounds issued the following statement Saturday
evening to the Argus Leader regarding the delay of the execution of Elijah
Page last week.]
Some decisions are never easy.
A lot has been written about my decision to delay the execution of Elijah
Page. Remember, it's only a delay, not a commutation. The execution will
go forward when the statute is amended to provide for three drugs, to
ensure that the body of the condemned does not struggle needlessly, and to
ensure that our statutes are followed to the letter. The laws of South
Dakota were created for a purpose. I could not allow the Department of
Corrections (DOC) to carry out an execution that violates state statute.
I believe that the death penalty should be used in certain circumstances,
and Elijah Page will in fact be executed. South Dakota hasn't executed
anyone in 59 years. Our death penalty laws were last updated in 1984. Like
everything else in medicine and pharmacology, more modern and efficient
means now exist, for carrying out a lethal injection. I have received
reports from corrections staff, that some of the inmates who were executed
with just the two drugs currently authorized by our law, took the best
part of an hour to die, and did not do so peacefully. I insist that any
execution in SD, be performed by the most humane methods available in the
United States.
I made the hard decision to ensure the execution would be carried out
following state statute ... by the book. Yes, Elijah Page waived his claim
to demand that only 2 drugs be used, but he does not determine the timing
of his death. The law must be updated to eliminate any issues about the
method used, and to ensure that the execution is done in a humane manner.
Mr. Page has admitted his role in a 3- or 4-hour session of torture,
taunting, kicking, stabbing, and otherwise brutally attacking an innocent
victim. I cannot risk the lives of guards, other penitentiary staff, and
even other inmates by allowing this man to leave death row. It is also my
duty to protect their lives. Page presents a continuing unacceptable risk
to kill again, if he is released from death row. And he has informed
family that he deserves to die for what he has done already.
This execution will go forward, once the statute is amended to allow for
the most humane manner currently used in the United States.
I am sorry that the family of Chester Poage must wait another nine months
before they see this penalty carried out. As for others who clamor for a
quick death, we cannot allow our desire for justice to outweigh our need
to follow the law.
- Sincerely,
(source: Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
hard decision to ensure the execution ... by the book'
[Editor's note: Gov. Mike Rounds issued the following statement Saturday
evening to the Argus Leader regarding the delay of the execution of Elijah
Page last week.]
Some decisions are never easy.
A lot has been written about my decision to delay the execution of Elijah
Page. Remember, it's only a delay, not a commutation. The execution will
go forward when the statute is amended to provide for three drugs, to
ensure that the body of the condemned does not struggle needlessly, and to
ensure that our statutes are followed to the letter. The laws of South
Dakota were created for a purpose. I could not allow the Department of
Corrections (DOC) to carry out an execution that violates state statute.
I believe that the death penalty should be used in certain circumstances,
and Elijah Page will in fact be executed. South Dakota hasn't executed
anyone in 59 years. Our death penalty laws were last updated in 1984. Like
everything else in medicine and pharmacology, more modern and efficient
means now exist, for carrying out a lethal injection. I have received
reports from corrections staff, that some of the inmates who were executed
with just the two drugs currently authorized by our law, took the best
part of an hour to die, and did not do so peacefully. I insist that any
execution in SD, be performed by the most humane methods available in the
United States.
I made the hard decision to ensure the execution would be carried out
following state statute ... by the book. Yes, Elijah Page waived his claim
to demand that only 2 drugs be used, but he does not determine the timing
of his death. The law must be updated to eliminate any issues about the
method used, and to ensure that the execution is done in a humane manner.
Mr. Page has admitted his role in a 3- or 4-hour session of torture,
taunting, kicking, stabbing, and otherwise brutally attacking an innocent
victim. I cannot risk the lives of guards, other penitentiary staff, and
even other inmates by allowing this man to leave death row. It is also my
duty to protect their lives. Page presents a continuing unacceptable risk
to kill again, if he is released from death row. And he has informed
family that he deserves to die for what he has done already.
This execution will go forward, once the statute is amended to allow for
the most humane manner currently used in the United States.
I am sorry that the family of Chester Poage must wait another nine months
before they see this penalty carried out. As for others who clamor for a
quick death, we cannot allow our desire for justice to outweigh our need
to follow the law.
- Sincerely,
(source: Sioux Falls Argus Leader)