Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1994)
o Shaun Sartn/DN jor B J. Kronschnabel hangs his head in silence just after midnight Jy surf in celebration of Otey’s execution. Travis Heying/DN Natasha Ramsay tries to hold back tears in a parking lot of the State Penitentiary, minutes later Otey was executed. Execution foes lament death‘at hands of state’ By Brian Sharp Senior Reporter “This can’t be civilized,” Sandra Frantz said. Frantz, a Lincoln lawyer, stood out side the Nebraska Slate Penitentiary in disbclicfThursday night. Harold Lamont Otcy was being executed inside. “I had to be here,” she said. “I felt that if I didn’t do anything, then tny hand was on the lever that went down and sentthcclcctricity through hisbody.” The lever went down for the first time at 12:23 p.tn. Thursday. Outside the prison, 2,000 people were gathered. Deathpenaltyprotesterssang“We Shall Overcome,” held candles and cried. Otcy took the last of four jolts at 12:25 a.in. Eight minutes later he was pronounced dead. Otcy was convicted of the 1977 rape and murder of Jane McManus of Oma ha. He has been on death row, fighting his execution for the past 16 years. Matt Landkamcr, 22. was outside whcnOteywaskillcd.Landkamerdidn’t know what to expect when he came, he said, and he wasn’t prepared for what he SdW • “The reality of the situation didn’t hit me until I got here,” he said. “This is the most chilling thing I’ve ever seen.” Meanwhile, a crowd of people who supported Otcy ’ s e xccu t ion shot off fire works and body surfed while shouting “Barbecue.” The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-2 vote at 7:55 p.m., refused to hearOtcy’s final appeal. Otcy waived to supporters through out the night. One of the supporters he was waiving to was a friend. D’Anna Fix, 48, met Otey in prison 10 years ago when she was working with Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty. "Vie reality of the situation clidn't hit me until l got here. 7his is the most chilling thing I ve ever seen. ” 1 MATT LANDKAMER Lincoln Resident “I know him as a human being,” she said. “It’s really hard when you know someone who’s going to be put to death at the hands of your state. And with your tax dollars.” Fixsaidshedidn’tthinkmost people realized what was about to happen in side the prison. Most people may never fully comprehend that someone’s life was taken, she said. “I think people will wake up tomor row morning and feel rather sick to their stomach abou t what they ’ vc done i f they have any soul left,” she said. “But they don’t think of it as a soul. They don’ t care. I don ’ t want to be a part of what’s going to go on tonight,” she said. Olcy waved to the crowd for the last time shortlybcforcmidnight.Thclights in the room then were turned off The Rev. Andy Hirdoflhc All Souls Church said the execution showed soci ety and the United States at their worst. “What we’re seeing is the illusion of America, the great nation, being seen for what it is,” he said. “A racist, manip ulative, greedy nation that feeds off the poor and the oppressed. “It’s going to affect everyone in this state, and people aren’t going to be able to deny it, no matter how hard they try.” Charles disdain lor the death P^ at Thursday dunn^anSlon. June 29.1991 — Board of Pardons dentes request to commute death sentence and sets execution date for Juty 1. June 30, 1991 — U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom denies request for last-minute stay. 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeate grants temporary stay of execution. July 1. 1991 — 8th Circuit Court panel hears arguments about sentencing procedure. Lancaster County District Court issues stay until July 10. July 2,1991 — Panel of 8th Circuit Court rules 2-1 against Olay’s attorneys, but leaves stay In place. gffS!. SaSsSsSs July 8.1994 — State Supreme Court »ets Sept. 2 execution date for Otey. Aug. 24,1994 — Otey's attorneys ask 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the dismissal, seek stay of execution. Aug. 30 - 31.1994 — Attorneys unsuccessfully argue the dvll rights lawsuit before a three judge panel of the 8th Circuit In Kansas city. Otey's attorneys request to have case heard by entire court is denied. Sept. 1,1994 — Attorneys appeal case to U.S. Supreme Court. Sept 2,1994 — 12:01 a.m. Otey is executed. Source: The Associated Press
