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Even if
the FBI's conduct proves to have been more careless than venal,
the charges call attention to more serious problems that have
led to 95 exonerations in capital cases since 1973, problems
such as corrupt prosecutors, lying jailhouse snitches, incompetent
forensic experts, junk science and racial prejudice. Will
people be prepared to support the next execution if they have
even the faintest doubts about the last?
On Friday
there were more visitors than usual to the memorial at the
site of the bombing in Oklahoma City. Ellen Bailey, 74, hoped
that the extra time "might help convince McVeigh to say he's
sorry." For his part, her son Larry is typical of many others:
he opposes the death penalty but not this time. "I'm for it.
I'm hoping it will give the victims closure." Beth Carpenter
had worked in the building until the month before the bombing
and lost scores of friends. She was distraught at the news
of the delay. "He deserves to be executed," she said. "I don't
want to see him anymore." As for McVeigh, he could look forward
to some long sessions with his lawyers and boxes and boxes
of papers. But if last week just delayed the inevitable, he
is ready. He had worked out all the details, down to where
he wanted his ashes scattered. His lawyers deny rumors that
he wants them left at the scene of his crime.
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May 21, 2001 | No. 20
COVER
STORIES
Justice
Delayed
Does the hitch in Timothy McVeigh's execution point to deeper fbi problems?
The confessed bomber may get what he is due in the end, but he may also
have met one of his goals: making Americans doubt the way their government
pursues justice
TRAVELER'S
ADVISORY
SOUTH
PACIFIC
NEW ZEALAND: Loved to Death...
A top tourist spot's popularity has become a threat to its beauty
Defense: The focus shifts from force
to service
THE
ARTS
ART: Kathleen Petyarre's Utopia Dreamings
BOOKS: A Harry Potter wannabe cries foul
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