Execution Day

I received a telephone call from a chaplain who is involved with the Texas Criminal Justice Division. During the course of the conversation he informed me of the fact that I had been requested to witness the execution of Karla Faye Tucker. He asked me if I intended on witnessing it and also told me that I was not required to be a witness. I explained to the chaplain that I did intend to witness the execution as a friend, and not as a victim. He did inform me of the fact that I would be in the same room or chamber as it is called along with the other witnesses that Karla Faye Tucker had requested. At that point in the conversation he gave me instructions as to how to get to the prison, where I would go, and what the itinerary would be for that day. After carefully taking down all of the information that the chaplain gave me, our conversation ended. When I hung up the telephone I realized that I would actually see someone die. That feeling left me with total emptiness.

I arrived in Huntsville, Texas at approximately 2:15 PM, while in route to the place I was supposed to go to I did have the opportunity to see the prison where the execution would take place. The spectacle that I saw literally floored me. The amount of people that had gathered in that area was simply amazing. I have never in all my days seen as many satellite trucks in one place as I saw. As I understand it, there were 33 satellite trucks there. As far as the amount of people, I would estimate somewhere between 200 and 500. I assume that someone took a head count, however I am not aware of what the actual count was.

3:45 PM I was at the "Hospitality House" which is provided by the "Baptist Church" through the "Texas Baptist Prison Family Ministry Foundation", where the five of the witnesses including myself heard our first orientation. The things that we were told was down right scary. My heart pounded just hearing the words of what we would see and hear during the execution. There was ample time for all questions to be answered. There were no facts whatsoever undisclosed.

5:00 PM The five witnesses were taken by van which was provided by the State of Texas from the Hospitality House to the Walls Unit where the executions take place. We were escorted into a room. We were searched for any undesirable elements. We were told of the rules and regulations. We were also told that would be no cameras or tape recorders of any type permitted.

6:20 PM We were escorted into another building and then escorted to another room. We were told to wait there. There was some type of a delay. The delay we were told was normal and it could be as much as 15 minutes to a hour or longer. Less than five minutes later we were escorted into the viewing chamber. At that point I saw Karla Faye Tucker strapped down to a gurney which strongly resembled a horizontal cross with intravenous tubes inserted into both arms. Once everyone was situated I heard a voice say to Karla was there anything she had to say. Karla issued her final statement in which she told the victims family that she was sorry for what she had done, and that she hoped they receive some sort of closure or healing from this. Then she turned her head to the chamber that I was in. She thanked all of us for being there, and she said that she loved us all.

6:35 PM The lethal injection began at which point Karla's body made a sound which was something I have never heard before. It was described to me beforehand as being the lungs of her body actually exhaling all of the air from her lungs. The sound was very loud. After that as I understand it her heart was stopped by a chemical that is used in the injection. Karla Faye Tucker died with a smile on her face and with her eyes wide open looking straight up towards heaven, and was totally at peace. I firmly believe that her very last words were this: "Into thy hands I commit my spirit unto you, Father", however according to the official transcript those words were not said.

6:43 PM A physician entered the execution chamber at which time he examined the body. He called the time of death at 6:45 PM . At that point I knew that my friend, a sister in Christ, was no longer here in this world. I also realized that I would never see her again, nor would I be able to speak to her, much less be able to communicate through letter writing or visitation.

During the execution process I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in a way that I have never felt before. I have sensed God's presence before, but not like I sensed God's presence that night. It was as if He was literally holding all of us in His hands and covering us with His love. When I left the execution chamber along with the other witnesses I felt as if I saw the world in a completely spiritual way. No longer were there the boundaries between the seen and the unseen. I could sense things that I have never sensed before.

6:46 PM We were escorted out of the prison and back into the van. We were taken to the Hospitality House.

8:20 PM We were escorted back to the prison where three of the men including myself which witnessed the execution then spoke to the media and to the people there. After that there was a segment which was broadcast live on the "Larry King Live Show" from the Walls Unit. After the segment was over we were escorted back to the Hospitality House in the van.

10:00 PM I left the Hospitality House and proceeded to drive back to Houston. I stopped at a local restaurant and had dinner. I did not want to eat, however my stomach desired food. I met with some friends there, had dinner, and then drove home.

I have not slept properly since. I can not forget what that day was like. It is like a nightmare that never ends. It was bad enough to see my sister killed the way she was, however it made matters even worse to see and know how the perpetrators are disposed of.

On Feb. 5th, 1998 Karla Faye Tucker was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by family members, close friends, along with my wife and myself. If I may be so bold, I would like to say that I was not impressed with the fact that the media insisted on having camera crews, along with a helicopter circling overhead at the cemetery. I said to my wife who has stood by me through this whole ordeal "Is nothing sacred?" Karla Faye Tucker was laid to rest in a cemetery in Houston, Texas. As per the families request I will not disclose the location of her grave site. I feel honored to have known Karla Faye Tucker the way I did, and furthermore I feel very strongly that the Lord has used me as a instrument to do His will.

How can we continue this barbaric practice? Would it not be better to abolish the Death Penalty, before we destroy our society completely?