Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 19, 2006 16:27:40 GMT -5
Execution looms for Holton on Tuesday
Daryl Holton is one step closer to death today, without any news of a stay
of execution from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
During the weekend, Holton, who is scheduled to be executed at 1 a.m.
Tuesday, was moved to death watch, said Dorinda Carter, Tennessee
Department of Correction spokeswoman.
"He is in a cell next to the execution chamber now," she said. "His head
and legs will be shaved probably sometime" today.
Holton, 44, chose to be electrocuted for killing his three minor sons and
their baby sister on Nov. 30, 1997. He refuses to sign the paperwork that
would continue his appeals.
He has told authorities he was angry over visitation and custody
arrangements.
If executed, Holton will be the first Tennessee inmate to die in the
electric chair in 46 years. Since 1976, there have been 153 electrocutions
in the 10 states that still allow the method, according to the Death
Penalty Information Center Web site.
Stephen Ferrell, an assistant federal defender in Knoxville, said Holton
is mentally ill and not competent to waive his right to appeals.
"If we do not get some kind of relief on this competency issue, then
everything is up to him," Ferrell has said.
Holton's preferred manner of execution has raised concerns, including
whether the 1989 electric chair will work properly. State officials insist
it works; Carter said it was tested over the weekend.
(source: The Tennessean)
Daryl Holton is one step closer to death today, without any news of a stay
of execution from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
During the weekend, Holton, who is scheduled to be executed at 1 a.m.
Tuesday, was moved to death watch, said Dorinda Carter, Tennessee
Department of Correction spokeswoman.
"He is in a cell next to the execution chamber now," she said. "His head
and legs will be shaved probably sometime" today.
Holton, 44, chose to be electrocuted for killing his three minor sons and
their baby sister on Nov. 30, 1997. He refuses to sign the paperwork that
would continue his appeals.
He has told authorities he was angry over visitation and custody
arrangements.
If executed, Holton will be the first Tennessee inmate to die in the
electric chair in 46 years. Since 1976, there have been 153 electrocutions
in the 10 states that still allow the method, according to the Death
Penalty Information Center Web site.
Stephen Ferrell, an assistant federal defender in Knoxville, said Holton
is mentally ill and not competent to waive his right to appeals.
"If we do not get some kind of relief on this competency issue, then
everything is up to him," Ferrell has said.
Holton's preferred manner of execution has raised concerns, including
whether the 1989 electric chair will work properly. State officials insist
it works; Carter said it was tested over the weekend.
(source: The Tennessean)