Official: Florida Botched Execution

Medical Official Says Inmate's Execution Took Longer Because Needles Missed Veins

(AP)  The execution of a convicted killer took 34 minutes — twice as long as normal — because officials botched the insertion of the needles that delivered the lethal chemicals, a medical examiner said Friday.

Dr. William Hamilton, who performed the autopsy, said the needles pierced Angel Nieves Diaz's veins and then went into soft tissue in his arms. The lethal chemicals are supposed to go directly into the veins.

Hamilton refused to say whether he thought Diaz died a painful death.

"I am going to defer answers about pain and suffering until the autopsy is complete," he said. He said the results were preliminary and toxicology tests and other tests may take several weeks.

As a result of the chemicals going into his arms, around the elbow, he had an 12-inch chemical burn on his right arm and an 11-inch chemical burn on his left arm, Hamilton said.

Florida Corrections Secretary James McDonough said the execution team did not see any swelling of the arms, which would have been an indication that the chemicals were going into tissues and not veins.

Hamilton also said that although there were records that Diaz had hepatitis, his liver appeared normal. State corrections officials said after Wednesday's execution that Diaz had liver disease, which caused him to metabolize the lethal drugs more slowly.

Gov. Jeb Bush's office said he learned of the medical examiner's preliminary findings and has since ordered the creation of a commission to review the way lethal injection is administered in Florida.

David Elliot, spokesman for the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said experts his group had contacted suspected that liver disease was not the explanation for the problem.

"Florida has certainly deservedly earned a reputation for being a state that conducts botched executions, whether its electrocution or lethal injection," Elliot said. "We just think the Florida death penalty system is broken from start to finish."

[processor2]

How long did it take for his victim to die ????

Liberals don't want to talk about that for some reason.

[jonw1115]

I am sure his 34 minutes was nothing compared to the pain and anguish the family of his victim has had to endure for the past 27 years. I agree with Mr. Knocker, the appeals process is too long. Victims just hope in the 25 years of appeals that they will get a sympathetic governor who will keep them from getting what they deserved all along. You play with fire, you're gonna get burned!

[jonw1115]

Not to mention the fact that he had 3 hot and a cot for those 27 years too! Whoever thinks he was wronged needs to weigh the facts here.

[thomderr]

"Appeared to grimace"
Maybe it was the knowledge that it was finally over...and his Creator wasn't too pleased with what he did?

[jimibear]

Processor, I'm fairly liberal, and I'll talk about it.

Relative suffering is not the issue. It's not the job of man or government to take over God's role of choosing who will die when. To execute is to kill, and the first commandment says "Thou shalt not kill." There is no follow-up saying, "Unless the other guy killed first." Two wrongs don't make a right, and they don't bring the victim back either. Since the majority of conservatives are also Christians, one wonders why more don't take that attitude.

What should be done is the institution of real life sentences (meaning, you are locked up until you die) not "life sentences" that in some cases amount to less than a decade behind bars. And things like cable TV are not "rights" for prisoners. Prisoners should work, eat and sleep in jail, and that's it. No TV, no movies, no nothing. If imprisonment were a punishment, not a training ground for further crime and thus a status symbol among criminals and in some cases an actual improvement of the criminals' outside standard of living, then it would be a much more effective deterrent. It would also be a lot cheaper for the taxpayer.

Imprisonment vs. death has another advantage. With all the stories coming out recently about incorrectly convicted death row sentencees, as well, killing someone for a crime is just plain foolish. What do you say if later evidence exhonerates someone - "Oops, sorry, I'll put flowers on your grave?"

[macgregor21]

Conservatives are hilarious. It's all "law and order" until it actually matters ... like when the state administers the ultimate penalty. We allow the state to murder by law - which should please them - but even that it not enough. They must suffer. It's amazing that any person who supports the death penalty can actually consider themselves "pro life." Not when they preside over a culture of death and fear that they perpetuate. What sad, miserable lives they must have.

[agnim]

No surprise that bush wouldn't grant a reprieve; he comes from a family of butchers; his dad, his brother and him!

Hopefully they will not produce any more murderous males in that line. Tsk-tsk

There is absolutely no sense in the state giving it citizens lessons in vengeance and violence by its leaders murdering humans.

A murderer locked away from the rest of society for good is more than enough for any healthy society!

[nothappyatall]

Oh get off the theology krap with the "the bible sez..." no, it's *YOUR* bible says and I for one could care less what it says, but "thou shalt not kill" is also in line with "thou shalt not commit adultry" "thou shalt not steal" and about the only ones who never violated those "commandments" would be maybe the pope and Mother Theresa and they will enjoy heaven all alone by themselves as the rest of us don't "qualify"

"Diaz's cousin Maria Otero said the family had never heard he suffered from liver disease"

Just because they didn't know doesn't make it non existing, plemty of people hide medical conditions from extended family so as not to worry them, pride, or they know their estranged family doesn't care, whatever.

Three cheers however for removing this scum!

[jimibear]

Hear, hear, Macgregor. You opened the can of worms I was considering tapping into. Let's consider this: this guy was aborted in (approximately) his 150th trimester.

And conservatives have such an issue with late term abortion ...

Unfortunately, many people are deeply hypocritical, as the comments here show. Sympathy for the victim and his family, although he was a strip-club owner and most likely not a model of sanctity. A wish of suffering for his killer, although no one saw the crime and the guy was convicted based on his girlfriend saying he was involved. It doesn't match, guys.

Also, I wonder how someone who thinks that the death and suffering of any other human being are "awesome" even manages to consider themselves a human. I find that sentiment utterly repulsive.

[jimibear]

Newster, you're an idiot and totally missed the point of what I was saying. My point was that people profess to be Christians and yet celebrate the death penalty.

And you're also morally deficient if you think that only saints never steal or cheat. I suggest you set your personal standards higher and stop judging other people by your own behavior. You don't qualify, because small-minded f*ckwits are unlikely to slip through the Pearly Gates. The rest of us who preserve basic honesty and fidelity and don't have our heads firmly wedged up our own rectums will do just fine, thanks.

[nothappyatall]

"Two wrongs don't make a right, and they don't bring the victim back either. Since the majority of conservatives are also Christians, one wonders why more don't take that attitude."

It sure does, it removes the scum permanently. Christians don't take the attitude because Christianity is founded on the worst violence, death, destruction and bloodshed- so it all fits in perfectly though they deny it and claim that was all in the past.

"What should be done is the institution of real life sentences (meaning, you are locked up until you die) not "life sentences" that in some cases amount to less than a decade behind bars."

We all know how many escape jail or kill guards- they have nothing to lose when they are sentenced to jail forever- kill a few guards and others to try and escape, even if caught the WORST they can do is send you back where you were in the first place.
But "life in jail" for MURDER should never be ten years with good behavior in any circumstances!!

[darkfyreaol]

I've got a few problems with capital punishment.

Namely,

A) Occasionally after an inmate has been refused an appeal time and time again, and they've been executed, evidents arises to prove their innocence after all.

B) Follow the chain of logic: Killing another constitutes murder. Execution is the act of killing another person. Execution in the pure sense of the term could constitute murder.

C) Ever heard of the term: 'Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone'? Not that I'm defending murderers and rapists. In sentencing a murderer to death, I believe one stoops to their level.

The cruelest punishment for such an individual, I believe, is life in prison without the possibility of parole. Life in a cold cell dealing with the realization of your crimes.

[nothappyatall]

If "god" objected to this execution or any others- he could simply have STOPPED it at any point of the process, turned the drugs into water or whatever. The fact that the execution took place successfully shows there was approval and/or no god

[jonw1115]

I would have to say it seems as though his mother was pro life. He was given a good shot at life like all of us posting here. Unfortunately for him he made the decision to kill in a country that has the death penalty and had to pay the price. He had those choices in front of him, so how is this on anyone else but him? Enlighten me.

[mjv2944]

He was on death row for 27 years and exhausted every appeal process. His victim did not get to choose how, where or when to die. He's had 27 years. Sorry, do the crime do the time, he wasn't in there skipping Sunday school, and taxpayers have supported him long enough.

[jonw1115]

Hot meals, a place to sleep, free weights and not a mortgage or bill to worry about for 27 years. Poor guy got duped didn't he. We are the ones getting the short end here, think of all the things those tax dollars could improve like our education system.

[richzurb]

I also have a problem wth the death penalty. IT TAKES TO LONG TO CARRY IT OUT!!!!!!!!! The government should create a system exclusively for captial punishment in which all appeals are reviwed within 6 months at the end of which the sentence is carried out or the appeal is sucessfull. As far as the poor criminal feeling pain, gee I wonder if they were so gracious to thier victims and ensured thier death was painless. How about if we just blow there head off with a shotgun from a distance of about 3 inches, that would be quick and effective as well as cost a lot less than the drugs we use now.

[processor2]

TO ALL LIBERALS WHO ARE UPSET over the execution of this murderer ....... I KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Don't consider this an execution; instead, just "visualize" that this murderer was a baby, and the only thing Florida did was perform a late-term abortion.

That should ease liberal conciousness's

........................

[darkfyreaol]

I agree with the first part, however there happen to be a great many liberal Christians. This isn't a political debate anyway.

And overall, you couldn't be more wrong. The mass death, destruction, and bloodshed (Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, etc.) was based on three things: Ignorance, injustice, and intolerance.

I can quite readily link those three I's with the support for capital punishment. It may 'remove the scum permanently', but this is based on the assertion that the American justice system is infallible, and there aren't any wrongful convictions. A decent percentage of the inmates on death row may very well be innocent of their charges, yet they will never see the light of day because a judge refuses to hear their appeals.

And they will be executed in the place of the real criminal.

This is not justice.

[cathaleen]

Does anybody care or know how long it took for his victim to die?

[cavalrysct19]

Haha, I know I don't. He was a murderer who was executed. The punishment fit the crime and I don't care if his family was upset. It was his own doing if he cared at all about his family he wouldnt have commited a crime that took someone elses family member from them. He deserved death and that what he got.

[cavalrysct19]

PS: When we keep a murderer in prison for 50 years that money comes out of the pockets of innocent citizens who have not committed such crimes. I do not owe a murderer anything and I do not think anyone else wants to pay the 55,000$ it costs to keep his worthless hide around for 50 years...if a life sentence is death anyway then why not end it immediately hmmmm????

[processor2]

TO ALL LIBERALS WHO ARE UPSET over the execution of this murderer ....... I KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Don't consider this an execution; instead, just "visualize" that this murderer was a baby, and the only thing Florida did was perform a late-term abortion.

That should ease liberal conciousness's

......................

[dsalicea]

Its funny how some people do not take into consideration how much pain murderers cause to not only their victims but the families. I think that anyone who is executed has it alot easier then the people whose life was cut short by a murderer. Everyone has an opinion but if it were your child,mother,father,husband or such I think you would be speaking a different tune. He got what he deserved 27 years after the fact but his dues have been paid.

[dsalicea]

Hey Cathaleen- Does anyone care that he murdered an innocent person?

[agnim]

"I think that anyone who is executed has it alot easier then the people whose life was cut short by a murderer.

Posted by dsalicea at 02:49 PM : Dec 14, 2006"

That is exactly what your murderer will be thinking when he comes to execute you. LOL

So go ahead and give lessons in killing humans.

[agnim]

"Does anybody care or know how long it took for his victim to die?

Posted by cathaleen at 02:18 PM : Dec 14, 2006"

No, we don't care, Caty.

The victim is dead for 27 years now and at a better place.
Time to give yourself some closure over the very OLD incident.

It is not wise to go out of the way to rehash the past just to be evilly vindictive.

[pensacola8-2009]

Everyone who kills knows there is a good chance they will face justice, but they kill anyway. Most connection and family-minded people believe the answer is in intervention before the conditions present an offer to do harm and violence. How do you teach the value of life to people without parents? Without attending school? Without a home? Without a sanctuary to sleep? Without a functional family? Without adequate access to mental health facilities? Without adequate access to healthcare? Our society condemns people far before they commit their inevitable crime. Many are too interested in pointing out differences with people instead of similarities, in the name of righteousness to judge and condemn. We wont understand forgiveness and justice until we all know and beleive we are the same and share a common destiny. It wasn't raining when Noah was building the ark. Does society have to be decaying before we help our brother?

[gunnerv1]

Why did it take 27 years to get rid of this scumbag. Lets see, at about $20,000.00 a year to feed, watch and make sure that he had a fair trial, that comes up to about $540,000.00 of your tax money, money that could have been spent on schools, medical facs. roads ect.

[bhappy2-2]

How about this- when you are convicted and sentenced to die for your crime we give you a list of ways to meet your end. The list would contain five methods, electrocution, lethal injection, firing squad, gas chamber or death by drowning. You mark them in the order of your preference and we then eliminate your first and last choices. We then pick by random drawing from the three remaining and this is how you die. You would, of course, have an appeal; if you lose the appeal you are carried directly to your execution, no further delays. Then when the family wanted to get upset about how you died, or how long it took or anything else we could say "It was one of his choices, just like he chose to commit the crime." Maybe eventually the criminals would get the message, WE DON'T CARE IF YOU SUFFER.

[chicabear1]

The results and decisions of his trial from long ago have finally come to pass. Ahhh, too bad the dirtbag died. But, I do believe that he had his chance in court. He has paid the ultimate price for his heinous crime. I don't think the family feels any better though, it will never bring their loved one back! I feel sorry for the victims family - - hopefully they're not consumed with hatred and anger, otherwise they'll never live in peace.

[stevecburdet]

I agree with the death penalty, but I do feel sorry for the family of the inmate. There is no comfortable way to loose a loved one. The only thing that really matters is weather this person was saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin has consequence. Murder (one of many sins) also has consequence. Romans 5:8 says "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." While it may be easy for us to pass judgment, let us remember what God has commanded us. 1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us." 2 Corinthians 6:2 "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? Know Jesus, know life. No Jesus, no life.

[suiteo1]

To antoniorego,

I'm guessing since they made it a point to say that it was a "topless bar manager" that was killed, the victim would be a female, not male. Other than that, I agree whole heartedly with your statement. I just wish they didn't waste 27 years to do it, but then again, we%u2019re talking about the Bush clan, aren't we?

[processor2]

TO ALL LIBERALS WHO ARE UPSET over the execution of this murderer ....... I KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Don't consider this an execution; instead, just "visualize" that this murderer was a baby, and the only thing Florida did was perform a late-term abortion.

That should ease liberal conciousness's

......................

gunnerv1 remember this was in Florida, they had to wait, 'cause they had to buy new easy to use voting machines --- or perhaps they execute like they vote? Hanging chad, oops wrong term "injected Angel"

[freezulu]

How about "cruel and unusual punishment for a cruel and unusual crime" such as murder. Convicted killers SHOULD suffer a CRUEL death for their CRUEL crime. Lethal injection is going easy on them. Feed them to lions on pay per view and give the proceeds to the victim's family.

[red1530]

Florida should of just hanged him.

[karen091866]

What kind of dumb@ss thinks a person can be "executed twice" ?

[CBSTV]

How depraved. Death penalty advocates are morally corrupt.

[randalds]

Why does everyone start taking shots at liberals when it comes to the death penalty and just assuming we all march in lockstep against it? My politics are somewhere to the left of Michael Moore, but I'm pro death penalty in extreme cases, like child rape/murder or mass murder. You people on the right need to stop lumping all liberals in together. Unlike republicans we encompass many different views on many different subjects.

[hermit22]

Death penalty: 27 year job security for lawyers.
When it needs to be done, it needs to go faster.

Quibble Quibble, here's your check.
Quibble Quibble, here's your check.

[samthetvcat]

Yeah, it's outrageous this guy too 27 years to exhaust his appeals - 27 years!?! I could see how a lot of people might think it's criminal defense attorney greed that's the problem, but often the judges who preside over the appeals of these types of cases are just unilaterally against the death-penalty and think they're being noble by continuing to give guys like this opportunity upon opportunity to contest his conviction on the most minute grounds. And since there's hundreds/thousands of these cases percolating through the system at any given time, these little rulings don't get reported in the news and these judges are never held accountable and generally get re-elected. It's a real injustice.

[gslinger3]

It didn't take 30 miniutes for him to die, it took 27 years, 30 mins.

[gslinger3]

jerryomara,

To deny God's existance is quite a good bit more absurd than to deny your very own existance. My prayer is that God one day softens your heart and that you will not be so bitter towards him and maybe even accept that he is real and he loves you inspite of your denial.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

[processor2]

TO ALL LIBERALS WHO ARE UPSET over the execution of this murderer ....... I KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Don't consider this an execution; instead, just "visualize" that this murderer was a baby, and the only thing Florida did was perform a late-term abortion.

That should ease liberal conciousness's

......................

[frankly6]

processor2

So you are pro-life until birth and then believe the state should kill them?

[processor2]

frankly6

So, you are pro-life for murderers, but pro-death when it comes to cute babies?

[processor2]

frankly6

tick,tock,tick,tock,tick,tock

[processor2]

frankly6

tick,tock,tick,tock

still waiting

[processor2]

TO ALL LIBERALS WHO ARE UPSET over the execution of this murderer ....... I KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Don't consider this an execution; instead, just "visualize" that this murderer was a baby, and the only thing Florida did was perform a late-term abortion.

That should ease liberal conciousness's