USA: JURY CONDEMN OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBER TIMOTHY MCVEIGH TO DEATH

Описание: (13 Jun 1997) English/Nat

A jury condemned Timothy McVeigh to death on Friday for the Oklahoma City bombing, in which 168 people died.

The jury deliberated for more than 11 hours over two days before deciding unanimously that the 29-year-old should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history.

It is unknown when decorated Gulf War veteran will be executed, as appeals could take three years or more.

Timothy McVeigh's family walk into court to hear his fate.

His mother, father and sister were followed by prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler.

Inside the court, the jury condemned McVeigh to death for the Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people.

The jury decided unanimously that the 29-year-old decorated Gulf War veteran should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history.

Outside the court, relatives of victims hugged each other.

After the sentence was announced, McVeigh's defence attorney - Stephen Jones - asked Americans to respect the jury's decision.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our joint statement on behalf of all of us who have had the privilege of representing Mr. McVeigh reads as follows. The jury has spoken and their verdict is entitled to respect and all Americans should accord it that respect until such time, if ever, it is overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction. We ask that the barriers and intolerance which have divided us may crumble and that suspicions disappear and that hatreds cease and that our divisions and intolerance being healed, we may live together in justice and in peace. God save the United States of America. God save this honourable court."
SUPER CAPTION: Stephen Jones, Timothy McVeigh's Defence Attorney

Prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler said he hoped the verdict would mean such a crime would never happen again.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is not a day of great joy for the prosecution team. We're pleased that the system worked and that justice prevailed, but the verdict doesn't diminish the great sadness that occurred in Oklahoma City two years ago. Our only hope is that the verdict will go some way to preventing such terrible drastic crime from ever occurring again. Thank you."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Hartzler, Prosecution Attorney

The Oklahoma City attorney urged people to use the democratic process, not violence, to change policy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would say to the people of America that this is not really a time for exhilaration. Personally, I'm going to reflect on the loss of lives and broken dreams of the people of Oklahoma. I'd like to thank the people of Colorado for their hospitality, their generosity in accepting in their city. I would like to tell the people in the patriot community that I hope that what was said about them in this courtroom was wrong. I don't think there are people out there who believe what this defendant believes. Hopefully they understand that the way to change policy, whether it be law enforcement or otherwise, is to go to the voting booth."
SUPER CAPTION: Oklahoma City attorney

In Washington, U-S President Clinton thanked jurors for what he called their "grave decisions" in McVeigh's trial, but avoided comment on the decision to condemn him to death.

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