[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----ARKANSAS

[Rick Halperin]

April 27



ARKANSAS----execution

Convicted murderer executed; state puts 4th inmate to death in 8 days


Witnesses describe execution; inmate was 'striving for breath,' AP editor says


3 minutes after his lethal injection began, Arkansas inmate Kenneth Williams 
began coughing, convulsing and lurching with sound that was audible even with a 
microphone turned off, media witnesses to his execution said.

State news editor Kelly Kissel said that Williams' body lurched forward at 
10:55 p.m., 3 minutes after the midazolam was administered. He described the 
movement as "when you're on a bumpy road and you hit a bump." Williams lurched 
forward 15 times in a period of 10 to 15 seconds, Kissel said.

He then lurched forward more slowly 5 times and began "striving for breath," 
according to witnesses.

The "labored breathing" continued until 10:59 p.m., Kissel said.

An attendant performed a consciousness check at 10:57 p.m., checking Williams' 
pupils.

Williams was pronounced dead at 11:05 p.m.

Kissel, who has witnessed 10 executions — including 2 in which midazolam has 
been used — said this is the most he's seen an inmate move.

A family member of Cecil Boren, who Williams killed after escaping prison in 
October 1999, said Williams showed "no change in his facial expression" to show 
any pain.

Jodie Efird added that “Any amount of movement he had was far less than any of 
his victims.”

Williams becomes the 4th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in
Arkansas and the 31st overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 
1990.

Williams becomes the 10th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the 
USA and the 1452nd overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 
1977.

(sources: Arkansas Online & Rick Halperin)