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CNN Saturday Morning News

McVeigh's Father Makes Final Visit to Death Row

Aired April 28, 2001 - 07:19   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Pope John Paul II is asking President Bush to spare the life of convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh is scheduled to die May 16 for the 1995 bombing. A White House spokesperson says she does not know if the president has seen the pope's letter.

As Susan -- CNN's Susan Candiotti reports, McVeigh's father says his son is prepared to die.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Less than three weeks away from his son's execution, Timothy McVeigh's father, William, remains heartbroken after a final visit on death row. He told CNN, "I asked him if he would apologize, and he says no. He said if he did apologize, he'd make a lot of people happy, but he'd be lying. I knew that was the answer, but I had to hear it for myself. It didn't surprise me."

Mr. McVeigh says his heart goes out to the victims. "I'm just sorry it happened," he says. "I wish it never would have happened."

At that last meeting with his son, William McVeigh asked why he bombed the Oklahoma City Federal Building. Timothy McVeigh blamed the government for a litany of reasons, mainly the siege at Waco. The father said, "I didn't understand, and I still don't understand."

Don't expect any last-minute appeals from the decorated Gulf War veteran. He says, "Dad, it's time. I've had enough of it. When I went to Saudi Arabia, I was ready to die. They taught us how to die, and I'm ready now."

Mr. McVeigh did not want his voice recorded but did allow us to take his picture outside his home. He and his family do not plan to be at his son's execution. That's the way Timothy McVeigh wants it.

Mr. McVeigh says his son turned down a prison offer to hug him and his sister, Jennifer, for the last time. Timothy McVeigh put his hands up against his father's, pressing a glass partition between them. Then, in Mr. McVeigh's words, "He smiled, and off he went."

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Buffalo, New York.

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