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CNN Live Saturday

Surprise, Frustration Towards Turn of Events of McVeigh's Execution

Aired May 12, 2001 - 17:01   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Before yesterday, we would have said condemned Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh is spending his last weekend in prison. Now, though, his execution is delayed, and his lawyers are pouring over recently found FBI documents, looking for a reason to file an appeal.

CNN national correspondent Martin Savidge is in Oklahoma City, to learn how blast survivors are coping with this latest turn of events -- Martin?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Stephen.

As can you tell in the background, you see the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, and it's well attended today. People come from all across the country, in fact, all over the world to visit this place to see what Timothy McVeigh did. In many cases, it's a point for them to reflect on what has happened.

They look at some of the original walls of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that still stands here. Much of the memorial itself was constructed of the material that was taken from the remains of the building. 168 people died in that building on that fateful day. Over 500 people were injured. There were 20 more casualties here than all of the American casualties in the Persian Gulf War.

There is no wonder that this place is a daily reminder for Oklahomans about Timothy McVeigh. And no wonder there is so much frustration over the delay of his execution. Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating talks about that frustration, now directed at the FBI.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. FRANK KEATING, OKLAHOMA: In this case, apparently there was a systems breakdown, at least that's what we understand. And that simply cannot recur. Otherwise, we're going to be in this mess all the time. And now, it's an opportunity for conspiracy theorists to point their fingers and say look, they were only trying to cover something up. It was really very dumb.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: A former attorney for Timothy McVeigh talks about what now has to be inside of those documents that have been uncovered. To either extend the stay of execution for Timothy McVeigh, or for the possibility of an appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JERALYN MERRITT, FMR. MCVEIGH DEFENSE ATTY: The jury heard certain evidence and based its decision on the evidence presented to it. If there is new evidence in these documents that might have led this jury to maybe return a verdict of life rather than death, that's something that the 10th Circuit might consider in deciding whether to allow Mr. McVeigh to pursue another appeal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Inside of the museum attached to this memorial, there was a plaque on the wall that read that Timothy McVeigh would be put to death on May 16th. That plaque, like a lot of plans, now have to be changed -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Martin, I know you've surveyed an awful lot of people there and have had a wide range of opinion. Anything different about your questions and the answers you're getting today?

SAVIDGE: No, not really. I mean, people are surprised. People are frustrated here. But for the most part, they believe this execution is going to take place.

Only a few of them will raise you the minor trepidation of perhaps there could be the chance of an appeal, and perhaps the possibility that Timothy McVeigh might not face the death penalty out of all this. Most believe the time will come. They wait 30 days. They believe the punishment will be delivered and that punishment will be death -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: In Oklahoma City, Martin Savidge, thank you.

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