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CNN Access: Elaine Shannon

Elaine Shannon is Time Magazine's Justice Correspondent and has been covering the Timothy McVeigh case. She spoke Friday with CNN's Natalie Allen.

CNN: Is there a sense that Timothy McVeigh has won something here?

Shannon: I think he definitely has won something. This whole matter has undermined confidence in the FBI and the justice system and these are institutions that run on confidence.

VIDEO CNN's Gina London reports on Timothy McVeigh's decision to seek a stay of execution (May 31) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) McVeigh faces high legal hurdles starting with the fact he waived his right to further appeals. CNN's Charles Bierbauer explains (June 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    DOCUMENT • McVeigh Petition for Stay of Execution (redacted) (FindLaw) (PDF) Documents in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.  ON THE SCENE Roger Cossack: McVeigh motion for execution delay    IN-DEPTH • Execution of Timothy McVeigh • Oklahoma City Bombing    MESSAGE BOARD McVeigh execution    RESOURCES • Timeline: FBI under Louis Freeh • Previous FBI controversies   LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes  REACTIONS McVeigh files for stay: 'It's a power issue'  ALSO Defense: Feds violated McVeigh's rights

CNN: You've talked to a lot of people in Oklahoma City covering this story, what has been their feeling about him first giving up his appeals and then renewing his fight after everyone had prepared themselves for his execution?

Shannon: My sense is that McVeigh didn't want appeals because he wanted martyrdom. Martyrdom is very powerful among zealots of all kinds. On the other hand, who could resist watching the government get wrapped around its own axle. This is very difficult for people in Oklahoma who want the case to be done, to be right, for this man to get his day in court and let's move on, And it's not happening.

CNN: What do you think his chances are of getting an extension next week in federal court?

Shannon: My personal bet is that we will see some extension because it is in the interest of the judge to make sure everyone believes that the process was absolutely fair, especially when you have an execution coming up. Nobody wants to rush this guy to an execution if there are any reasonable questions left unanswered. On the other hand, as in the John F. Kennedy assassination, people will be raising questions forever about the second truck, the third car, the sighting of someone who looked like John Doe No. 2, so you're not ever going to satisfy everyone.

CNN: Is there anything the government can do at this stage to try to rebuild the confidence with the people after what has happened between now and when McVeigh is put to death?

Shannon: I think the government has been doing the best it can. I think the more you see these officials and people believe they are trying to do the right thing in good faith, I think it will build confidence back.

CNN: Any ideas on what the final legacy of Timothy McVeigh will be as a result of this twist and the circumstances surrounding this case?

Shannon: I think the FBI is going to remember him forever. When Tim McVeigh was caught, he had several pages from the Turner Diaries, which is a terrible racist conspiracy novel in which a group of extremists take down the federal government, blow up the FBI building, blow up the capital and eventually bring the whole government down in the name of white hatred. It says that the most important thing we are gaining here is a psychological advantage.

I hope that the government is not brought down, but Timothy McVeigh is definitely waging a form of psy-war and the government had helped him do that. I hope that in the days to come that the government is able to convince as many reasonable people as possible that they are doing a thorough job of finding the truth, not convicting a person, but finding the truth.