SirFozzalot

Didn't know anywhere in the US still used firing squads for execution!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/us_...a/10347166.stm

SirFozzalot

dpb

Would your average yank want Hayward sat there ! ?

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Strictly speaking, they don't anymore; the convicted individual here, requested the firing squad just before Utah moved to the lethal injection.

I did do a bit of a double take at the bit that said that one gun (out of the 5 fired) contained a blank, so as to create ambiguity as to whether any individual had fired the lethal shot. I always thought only one gun contained the live bullet. I guess marksmanship isn't what it used to be!

GMballistic

iTrader: (1)

It's only because he selected that method of execution before they banned it in 2004.
We need something like that in Britain IMO. Might deter some of the scum we have living here then and if it didn't well atleast you know there really gone and not just living it up in prison. Not nice, but death never is however it happens.

MattW

Rather that than the clinical lethal injection

Camoscooby

iTrader: (5)

Ronnie Lee Gardner chose to be executed by firing squad before the method was banned by Utah and replaced by lethal injections.

Apparently Oklahoma is the only state to retain the firing squad option of death

Mogsi

The marksmen, along with members of staff who contributed to the planning of the execution, will be given a commemorative Gardner coin.

Nice touch...

'Well son, this here was given to your Daddy when I shot this here man dead'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/us_...a/10254279.stm

Leslie

If I remember rightly, it was only one blank to ensure that there were enough shots to do the job completely first time.

Les

BlkKnight

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_15279853

[-(o)-]

iTrader: (1)

Does seem a bit strange as its going to be very obvious to the firer and probably any witnesses whether they've just fired a blank or a live round!

Leslie

That had occurred to me, perhaps the point is that the man does not know whether he will have a live round until after he has fired.

Les

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Aim for his nuts and shoot slightly before the order to fire is given.....that's one effective, if slightly cruel, way of finding out whether you've been given the blank!

The whole commemorative coin seems a bit much!!

Not exactly something you'd show your grand kids!

billythekid

IIRC he was quoted as saying, if someone is going to kill him he wants there to be a big mess to clear up afterwards. Apparently.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Is there a specific place on the body for these guys to aim for? 4 shots to the face is going to create some kind of mess.

Simon C

IIRC from the last firing squad execution, the blank round is made so its its near impoosible to tell who had the blank, also they use bolt action rifles. The squad turn up to preloaded rifles and leave them at the firing point without unloading them. Thus on one ever knows the truth.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Strap him in the chair and then give him the injection, really pi ss him off, Its not like he can sue them and they have the last laugh.