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10th Anniversary of OKC Bombing Verdict Against Timothy McVeigh

By Jeralyn, Section Oklahoma City Bombing
Posted on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 11:10:14 AM EST
Tags: Timothy McVeigh (all tags)
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Ten years ago today, a Denver federal jury returned a death verdict against Timothy McVeigh for the Oklahoma City bombing.

A few weeks ago I sat down with Colorado 850 KOA News Radio host Steffan Tubbs for an interview about what it was like to defend McVeigh. Tubbs also interviewed Houston lawyer Chris Tritico, another principal member of the trial team . The interview aired today as part of a five part series that looks back at the trial.

McVeigh was executed by lethal injection six years ago on June 11, 2001.

What is like to defend the most hated man in America? Would I do it again? You can listen here.

Other parts of the series which include interviews with the prosecutors, victims' families, members of the media and a juror are here.

[Cross-posted at 5280.com]

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    10th Anniversary of OKC Bombing Verdict Against Timothy McVeigh | 3 comments (3 topical)

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    Great insight (3.00 / 0) (#3)
    by HK on Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 04:36:10 AM EST
    Thank you for posting those links, Jeralyn.  It was so interesting listening to the different points of view, not least yours.  You have posted about Timothy McVeigh here before, but it's different actually hearing someone talk and it was interesting to hear why you represented Timothy McVeigh.  

    I was staggered by the amount of evidence you had to go through for this case.  Even though I am sure you provided Timothy McVeigh with the best defence he could have had, I do think that it would have been virtually impossible to go through all of those witness statements, photos, telephone call records, audio and video eveidence thoroughly in the time available.  It is not so much an issue when the defendant is not denying the crime, but if he had been claiming innocence you would have had a Hell of a job on your hands going through everything with a fine toothcomb.

    I am always shocked with how theatrical trials are in the US.  Prosecutors often seem (to me) to turn trials into popularity contests: how great the victim was compared to what a monster the defendant is.  I feel there is never enough emphasis on facts.  In addition, it seems totally unacceptable to me that prosecutors would cry in court in front of a jury during evidence.  I am a person who cries embarrassingly easily, but I am also a person who feels it is important to behave professionally when I am in work or other formal situations.  I feel that if a lawyer cries in a court room they are being either unprofessional or deliberately manipulative.  Maybe that is to do with my British stiff upper lip, though!  However, I very much doubt that this behaviour would be tolerated in a British courtroom.

    No hate here (none / 0) (#1)
    by retank on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 02:46:16 PM EST
    That day I went down to the federal courthouse to show support for Tim.
    I was the only one there.
    Whether or not there was other gatherings, I did'nt know, but I live close to downtown Denver.

    mr. mcveigh (none / 0) (#2)
    by cpinva on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 04:07:29 PM EST
    was entitled to the most vigorous representation available, given the heinousness of the crime he was accused of committing. i'm glad he got it, it made the verdict that much more legitimate in my eyes. as a federal civilian employee, that incident brought home to me just how much of a target i am. it isn't a pleasant feeling.

    as for the death sentence, not so much. what made that palatable were the children who were murdered by mr. mcveigh.

    it's unfortunate that not everyone in mr. mcveigh's cirumstances isn't able to avail themselves of such qualified representation.

    10th Anniversary of OKC Bombing Verdict Against Timothy McVeigh | 3 comments (3 topical)

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