|
Terre Haute prepares, once again, for McVeigh's scheduled
execution
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) When word came down that a judge had
denied Timothy McVeigh's request for a stay of execution, Raoul
David suddenly realized how much work he has to do.
"I've got to make a bunch of sandwiches and get things ready.
This will mean big business," said David, who owns a grocery store
across the street from the federal prison where McVeigh is
scheduled to die on Monday.
The execution will mean a burst in activity in this city of
about 60,000. Barring a successful appeal by McVeigh, more than
1,000 journalists are expected to sweep in. Death penalty
protesters will take to the streets. Restaurants will scramble to
keep up with business.
Security measures were drawn up before McVeigh's original May 16
execution date, which was postponed a month.
City officials said no decision has been made on whether to
close schools, as they had planned to do on the original execution
date.
"We're going into our execution mode for the weekend," said
Jeff Trotter, assistant police chief.
Beginning Sunday, officers will work 12-hour shifts. Half of the
department's 125 officers will be on duty during the execution.
Thirty extra firefighters will work Monday, nearly doubling the
usual number.
Employees also will be working extra hours at the Knights Inn in
Terre Haute. All 125 rooms for Sunday night have been booked for
weeks.
Abe Bonowitz, director of Citizens United for Alternatives to
the Death Penalty, said before McVeigh's request for a stay was
denied that many foes of capital punishment would be ready to head
to Terre Haute.
Protesters had already mapped out their plans back in May, so
Suzanne Carter, head of the Terre Haute Abolition Network, said
most people will just have to dust off their anti-death penalty
signs and banners and head out for a Sunday march and an all-night
vigil.
Under prison protocol, McVeigh will be moved as early as Friday
from his cell to the holding cell in the death chamber.
|