dictionary

Gary Tuchman: Intense security planned for McVeigh execution

Gary Tuchman

Gary Tuchman is a CNN national correspondent based in Atlanta. He reported on this story from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Q: How have the people of Oklahoma reacted to Ashcroft's decision to allow a closed-circuit television for the McVeigh execution?

Tuchman: We spent the morning with the two women with whom the attorney general toured the Oklahoma City memorial on Tuesday. One of them lost her daughter in the blast. The other was trapped for four-and-a-half hours in the building. They are both pleased the attorney general has decided to allow the closed circuit feed. Interestingly, both are not sure they will want to watch the execution. They are not sure how they will feel that day, but they want the right to watch it if they choose to do so.

CHAT TRANSCRIPT Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck chat about their book, "American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing."  VIDEO The mother of one bombing victim says she needs to see McVeigh's execution. CNN's Susan Candiotti talks with her Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) In new book, Timothy McVeigh expresses no remorse. CNN's Susan Candiotti reports Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)  RESOURCES Newsmaker Profiles: Timothy McVeigh Read Timothy McVeigh's agreement with the Coroner of Vigo County, Indiana - March 9, 2001 (FindLaw) (PDF format)* *Documents in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.  MESSAGE BOARD Death penalty

LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes

There is strong community support among people in Oklahoma City for the right of these people to watch the execution. In Oklahoma City, most people know somebody who was either a victim or a survivor. It is hard to find people here who do not feel that those survivors and family members of victims don't have a right to watch the execution.

Q: Are there security considerations to prevent the video from being accessible to the general public?

Tuchman: The attorney general said, "This will be a secure transmission with the latest encryption technology so it cannot be pirated." He added that he would not give further detail about the transmission process in the interest of the security. That certainly is one of the concerns, that the video could be pirated and that's why the attorney general addressed that during the news conference.

Q: Will McVeigh be allowed to do interviews prior to his execution?

Tuchman: McVeigh had agreed to do several television interviews before his execution. However, the attorney general says he will not permit any on-camera interviews, saying that if McVeigh wants to do interviews, he will have to do them over the telephone in his daily 15 minute call that he is allowed in his prison cell.

Q: Are there any additional concerns of the families and survivors watching the execution?

Tuchman: A reporter asked a question of the attorney general after his statement asking: "Are you concerned that McVeigh, knowing that all these family members will be watching, will issue a final statement that will rub salt in their wounds?" Ashcroft was obviously uncomfortable about that possibility. But that is not something that will be able to be prevented because McVeigh is entitled to a final statement.

Q: Any final thoughts?

Tuchman: There are many arrangements that have to be made. They have not picked a location here yet in Oklahoma City. The security will be intense. And it promises to be a very emotional and complicated day on May 16, 2001 here in Oklahoma City.

Ashcroft OKs closed TV feed of McVeigh execution
April 11, 2001
AAshcroft discusses McVeigh execution plan
April 10, 2001
FBI: McVeigh knew children would be killed in OKC blast
March 29, 2001
McVeigh autopsy deal says no 'invasive procedure'
March 19, 2001
Terrorism changes mind of death penalty opponents
March 6, 2001
McVeigh's attorney: 'I'm extremely disappointed'
February 16, 2001
Timothy McVeigh clemency deadline Thursday
February 12, 2001

Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Department of Justice
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Oklahoma State Government
Death Penalty Information Center
U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.