Nov. 22, 2021
IN THE LATE SIXTIES, WHEN I HOSTED A MORNING SHOW FOR ARKANSAS'S ABC AFFILIATE, THE STATION'S MANAGER INVITED ME TO ATTEND THE ELECTROCUTION OF A YOUNG MAN FROM GEORGIA WHO HAD MURDERED HIS STEP FATHER.
BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC CHAIR IN GEORGIA WAS BEING "OVERHAULED"--GEORGIA'S GOVERNOR ARRANGED TO HAVE THE PRISONER'S ELECTROCUTION "CARRIED OUT" IN ARKANSAS.
AT THE TIME OF THE ELECTROCUTION, I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE SITTING WITH EIGHT MEN IN THE TINY GLASS-WINDOWED “VIEWING” ROOM. NO ONE SPOKE A WORD AS A VERY THIN MAN IN BLUE JEANS AND A WHITE T-SHIRT WAS STRAPPED TO A PLAIN-WOODEN, HOMEMADE CHAIR COVERED WITH LEATHER STRAPS AND THICK CORDS.
THE YOUNG MAN NEVER LOOKED UP--NOT ONE TIME—BUT--WHEN THE WARDEN NODDED AND THE LOUD GENERATOR STARTED-UP, THE MAN'S BODY CONVULSED VIOLENTLY FOR NEARLY THREE MINUTES. WHEN THE GENERATOR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND THE ELECTROCUTION WAS OFFICIALLY-OVER--THERE WAS NO DOUBT THE YOUNG MAN WAS DEAD. HE WAS BLEEDING PROFUSELY FROM EVERY ORIFICE AND... HIS BODY...FLAME-RED IN COLOR... LOOKED LIKE A BOILED LOBSTER.
I WOULD NEVER AGREE TO WITNESS SUCH A BRUTAL DEATH--EVER AGAIN. YET, I STILL BELIEVE IN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS THE ONLY WAY TO DESTROY PURE EVIL.
I ACCIDENTLY-WITNESSED A PERSON DIE BY FIRING SQUAD -- IN CHINA BUT-- I DON'T INTEND TO SHARE THE HORROR OF THAT EXPERIENCE. SOMETIMES, CHINESE LEADERS DON’T WASTE TIME AND MONEY PROVING A PERSON’S GUILT OR INNOCENCE---WHICH--OFFENDS ME. I CAN’T BEAR TO THINK OF AN INNOCENT PERSON FACING A FIRING SQUAD, THE ELECTRIC CHAIR---OR---DELIBERATE DEATH OF ANY KIND. NO, I'M NOT OBSESSED WITH DEATH. I’VE HAD TO ACCEPT DYING----AS A PART OF LIVING.
PLEASE STAY CLOSE-- IN LIFE-- AS WELL AS DEATH.
SALLY
Latest comments
17.10 | 01:42
I miss being Facebook friends with you! Hope you are well and happy.
Tammy Brookover Jay
15.10 | 01:28
Love all of this. I'm so lucky to be your neighbor,
30.08 | 16:26
Sally, my friend, I love your writings and sometimes they make me cry and then smile. I love you as if I had known you all my life. God Bless you each and every day in all you do.
29.08 | 19:19
Lol, I loved reading this story! As a female that dated a couple men with Harleys, I totally understand and met Harley Guy myself, many times over!
I hope you get your 3wheels someday soon!