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CNN Live Saturday

Oklahoma City Residents Still Await McVeigh's Execution

Aired May 12, 2001 - 15:00   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: Convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh is said to be weighing his options this weekend, now that his execution has been put on hold. Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered a one-month delay on Friday, to give both sides time to review thousands of FBI documents which surfaced this week. Ashcroft also ordered an internal investigation into how the documents were kept from defense attorneys.

McVeigh's lawyers say their client is distressed over the decision. In Oklahoma City, widespread anger, frustration and resignation over the postponement. CNN's Martin Savidge is there -- Marty.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Donna. There is all of that and there is more. You can see by the background that people are still drawn here to the Oklahoma City memorial. That is nothing new.

And the developments of the last 48 hours have not brought the city to standstill. In fact, there are celebrations of other sorts, other events, a minor hockey league championship and also a graduation at Oklahoma City University.

Still, the news of the delay of the execution is disturbing to many people, especially victims' families and survivors. And it perhaps raises a concern that there could be an appeal on the part of Timothy McVeigh.

Paul Howell lost a daughter in the explosion. He believes that the death penalty will be carried out eventually.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL HOWELL, FATHER OF BOMBING VICTIM: It will happen. The man has already said that he's guilty. He wants to die. There's going to be some delays. Whether it is the 11th of June or maybe a little bit later than that, we know it is going it happen. There's no way around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma has also been trying to dispel any last minute fears over this last-minute delay. He says that justice will follow its course. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. FRANK KEATING, OKLAHOMA: It will all see its way to the end. 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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: The people of Oklahoma City have had to wait six years now for the execution of Timothy McVeigh. The general feeling is they can wait 30 more days -- Donna.

KELLEY: Martin Savidge, thanks very much.

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