News Reports

TBO.com > News > News blog Reports

 News Blog Search

Advanced Search
A Killer's Grip

The Rules


Prison officials handed out copies of death penalty procedure. The step-by-step rules describing how the state government dolls out it most severe punishment.

About two hours before an execution:

—The first floor of the death chamber wing is evacuated except for necessary personnel and witnesses from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

—One member of the execution team prepares the lethal chemicals under the watch of other team members. The chemical concoction includes three different drugs. Sodium pentothal is used to sedate Rolling. Pancuronium bromide is used to paralyze him. Potassium chloride will stop the heart. A fourth syringe, filled with saline, will clear the veins after death.

—Another member of the execution team will deliver the drugs to the execution room. The lethal drugs will remain in the locked room until the executioners arrive.

—Another member of the execution team will explain to Rolling the drugs used and how they will be administered. Rolling will be offered a Valium. He can refuse if he wishes.

—Media witnesses will then be picked up and escorted to the prison.

One hour before execution:

—Executioners report to the execution chamber

—Each execution team member is tested by mouth for drugs and alcohol.

—A member of the team tests the telephones to make sure they are working.

—Another member of the team will make sure the PA system is working

A half-hour before the execution:

—Witnesses enter the witnessing room

—A member of the execution team will make telephone contact with the governor’s office.

—The warden will read the warrant of execution

—Rolling will be secured with wrist restraints

—A heart monitor will be attached

—IVs will be put into each arm

—Rolling will be wheeled into the execution chamber

Execution:

—The warden will talk to the governor to see if a stay has been entered.

—Rolling can make a statement

—The executioner will push the syringes one by one. After each syringe is emptied, he or she will hand the empty syringes to a second executioner standing nearby.

—When the heart monitor shows a flat line, a doctor will determine if Rolling is dead.

—The warden notifies the governor that the death sentence has been carried out.


Send Us Your Comments

I would like to add to my previous comment as word limitations stopped me before. In August 1990 I was in Charlotte, NC and a co-workes’s daughter had just started school in Gainsville. I well remember the long wait until he was able to make contact with her. Then in December I moved to Florida myself so I remember this case well and have followed it via TBO since moving here.

Send Us Your Comments

Page 1 of 1 pages

Advertisement


Live Coverage:

Mary Shedden has been covering the Gainesville student murders, investigation and trial for newspapers since August 1990, the same year she graduated from the University of Florida. She's been with The Tampa Tribune since 2005.


Thomas W. Krause has reported on legal issues for The Tampa since July 2003. He completed a master's degree in print journalism at the University of Miami in 1995 and has since worked for several newspapers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. In 2001, as part of his reporting and writing about the death penalty in Georgia, Krause was one of the witnesses at the execution of Terry Michael Mincey, the first man to die by lethal injection in Georgia.


Mark Douglas is an investigative reporter for News Channel 8. He's been covering stories for more than 10 years in the Pinellas County bureau. He also teaches at The University of Tampa where he has served as an adjunct faculty member since 1997.


Complete Coverage:
Most popular:

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertise With Us:
Online | In Print | Broadcast