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CNN Live Saturday

Oklahomans React to the Delay in McVeigh's Execution

Aired May 12, 2001 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Six years after a powerful truck bomb shook Oklahoma City and killed 168 people, the city is being rocked by an admission that the FBI made a huge mistake in the case. At issue is whether the sudden disclosure of thousands of FBI documents in the case will force a new trial, or change the fate of confessed bomber Timothy McVeigh.

As you probably know, it has already caused a one-month delay in McVeigh's execution while attorneys for both sides study the documents and consider their options. For the latest from Oklahoma City, our Gary Tuchman is there -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Donna. He had been convicted of carrying out the largest terrorist attack ever on U.S. soil. He was sentenced to the death penalty and he decided not fight. For those reasons and many others, most Oklahomans figured the May 16 date will be stuck to for the execution of Timothy McVeigh. But it is not to be, and many people here are shocked and disappointed.

We stand right now in front of the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. This is where the Murrah federal building used to stand. Right next door is the in-door Oklahoma City bombing museum. In that museum, there is a plaque, it reads: "Timothy McVeigh will be killed on the 16th of May, 2001 because of this crime." That plaque was to be changed, that he was executed on May 16, 2001, but right now they don't know what they are going to do with that plaque, because it certainly isn't accurate anymore.

The governor of the state says he's giving Oklahomans this advice.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. FRANK KEATING, OKLAHOMA: Due process will take place. This individual will not be on this planet mocking us and lecturing us and hectoring us and making fun of our children that he murdered. Don't worry, but we have to make sure that when it is done, it is done according to process and the rule of law. Justice will be appropriately given when the process appropriately followed.

So, don't worry. Continue to hold hands. We're together, we're all together in Oklahoma City. Don't worry. Just turn off your television, turn off the radio if you don't want to hear anything about it, it will happen eventually. But don't panic. (END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: A short time ago, we talked to a man who lost his daughter when the Oklahoma City federal building was bombed on April 19, 1985. Paul Howell lost his daughter Karen, and he was one of the 10 people selected to watch the execution in person in Terre Haute, Indiana this Wednesday.

He says he has full faith the execution will still be carried out and he plans to be there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL HOWELL, FATHER OF BOMBING VICTIM: I'm going to look at this man, and I'm hoping that he'll look at me and we can do an eye contact. I just need to let him know that I'm there supporting my family and the rest of the people who got killed in this deal, and just let him know, he's not -- whatever he does, it's not going to bother me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: Six years later, after the Oklahoma City bombing, you still find unusual evidence of the bombing. We're across the street from where the building used to stand, and buried in the dirt right here: two pieces of the Oklahoma City federal building, and there are many more in the ground below me. Donna, back to you.

KELLEY: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much.

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