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I need your help in getting HB297 passed. Please contact your representative and ask others to call them to vote for this bill. This is the bill that increases the number of family members for victim and inmate to view the execution. It also includes the DA and law enforcement. They cannot attend at this time under the current law and only 2 family members. Willie McNair that murdered my mother is scheduled for execution on May 14th. There are 6 siblings in our family. We all want to be together as we have for the past 19 years going through 5 murder trials in less than 4 years and all these appeals. Please help us get this passed. Please send email to anyone across the state so I can get more help in spreading the word. Thanks, Pat Jones
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The last public execution in the United States was in 1936. Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky after being convicted of the rape and murder of a 70 year old woman. It was also the country's first hanging conducted by a woman. 20,000 people attended along with reporters from Chicago and New York. Reporters wrote that the hanging was a "carnival in Owensboro." It is said that this execution and the extensive coverage led to the banning of public executions in the United States.

The next known "public" execution wasn't totally open. It was Timothy McVeigh convicted of the Oklahoma City bombing. The lethal injection was captured on closed circuit television on June 11, 2001 so the relatives of the victims could witness his death. He didn't give any final words although he released a letter as his final statement. In the letter he said he thought the bloodshed was unfortunate, but he was not sorry about the bombing which he saw as a "legit tactic" in his solitary war against the federal government.
I was sweating this bill in the House Judiciary committee. Marcel Black is the Chairman, but he really was OK. It passed this committee OK. DOC Commissioner Richard Allen and Vernon Barnett was there to show their approval. But in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Roger Bedford and Vivian Figures gave us fits. Vivian was so afraid what psychological effect this would have on people watching an execution. Roger didn't want this to be a side show. So in this committee, they took out the DA's and law enforcement from going. We have a lot of work to do. I thought that this bill wouldn't be a problem. No extra money involved. But you never know.
In Alabama , a Law is in place for the Death Penalty. This is a Case where it should be no Doubt! Now the Time is getting close . After 5 trials in 4 years and waiting allmost 20 years, for this family seeing this if they chose , how in the Heck could this Family have any more Psychological Effects than this Scum Bagg has caused ? For Vivian and Roger Bedford , do the right thing and support this Bill . Please call your Representives , ask them to Vote Yes for this Bill . HB297 "Justice For All_Even The Victims" Pat you and your family are in our Thoughs and Prayers

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