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Kenneth Williams died last night after being given a lethal injection. AP

Arkansas execution spree ends after another man is put to death

The prisoner was seen to convulse 20 times before he died.

THE US STATE of Arkansas executed its fourth inmate in eight days last night.

The killing of Kenneth Williams (38) wrapped up an accelerated schedule of executions with a lethal injection that left the prisoner lurching and convulsing 20 times before he died.

Williams was pronounced dead at 11:05 pm, 13 minutes after the execution began at the Cummins Unit prison at Varner.

An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the lethal injection said Williams’ body jerked 15 times in quick succession, then the rate slowed for a final five movements. J.R. Davis, a spokesman for Gov. Asa Hutchinson who did not witness the execution, called it “an involuntary muscular reaction” that he said was a widely known effect of one of the execution drugs.

Arkansas had scheduled eight executions over an 11-day period before one of its lethal injection drugs expires on Sunday. That would have been the most in such a compressed period since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, but courts issued stays for four of the inmates.

The four lethal injections that were carried out included Monday’s first double execution in the United States since 2000.

“I extend my sincerest of apologies to the families I have senselessly wronged and deprived of their loved ones,” Williams said in a final statement he read from the death chamber.

I was more than wrong. The crimes I perpetrated against you all was senseless, extremely hurtful and inexcusable.

Williams also spoke in tongues during his last statement, but his prayer faded off as the sedative midazolam took effect. His final words were, “The words that I speak will forever be, will forever …” before he fell silent.

The inmate breathed heavily through his nose until just after three minutes into his execution, when his chest leaped forward in a series of what seemed like involuntary movements. His right hand never clenched and his face remained what one media witness called “serene.”

After the jerking, Williams breathed through his mouth and moaned or groaned once — during a consciousness check — until falling still seven minutes into the lethal injection.

Arkansas Executions Members of the media are given ground rules as they prepare to witness the execution. AP Photo / Kelly P. Kissel AP Photo / Kelly P. Kissel / Kelly P. Kissel

Williams was sentenced to death for killing a former deputy warden, Cecil Boren, after he escaped from prison in 1999. At the time of his escape in a 500-gallon barrel of hog slop, Williams was less than three weeks into a life term for the death of a college cheerleader.

“Any kind of movement he had was far less than his victims,” said Jodie Efird, one of Boren’s daughters, who witnessed the execution.

‘Closure’

State officials have declared the string of executions a success, using terms like “closure” for the victims’ families.

The inmates have died within 20 minutes of their executions beginning, a contrast from midazolam-related executions in other states that took anywhere from 43 minutes to two hours. The inmates’ lawyers have said there are still flaws and that there is no certainty that the inmates aren’t suffering while they die.

“The long path of justice ended tonight and Arkansans can reflect on the last two weeks with confidence that our system of laws in this state has worked,” Hutchinson said in a statement issued after the execution.

“Carrying out the penalty of the jury in the Kenneth Williams case was necessary. There has never been a question of guilt.”

Arkansas Executions An entrance to the Cummins Unit prison near Varner, Arkansas. AP AP

Arkansas scheduled the executions for the final two weeks of April because its supply of midazolam, normally a surgical sedative, expires on Sunday.

The Arkansas Department of Correction has said it has no new source for the drug — though it has made similar remarks previously yet still found a new stash.

Williams’ lawyers said he had sickle cell trait, lupus and brain damage, and argued the combined maladies could subject him to an exceptionally painful execution in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Arkansas’ “one size fits all” execution protocol could leave him in pain after a paralytic agent renders him unable to move, they’d argued.

“After the state injects Mr. Williams with vecuronium bromide … most or all of the manifestations of his extreme pain and suffering will not be discernible to witnesses,” they wrote to the Arkansas Supreme Court, which rejected his request to stop the execution.

Arkansas Executions Gina Grimm, daughter of inmate Jack Jones, touches a poster of those condemned to be executed. PA Images / Stephen B. Thornton PA Images / Stephen B. Thornton / Stephen B. Thornton

The US Supreme Court also denied requests for a stay, including one that argued his claims of intellectual disability had not been fully explored.

Williams was sentenced to death for killing Boren after escaping from the Cummins Unit prison in a barrel holding a mishmash of kitchen scraps.

He left the prison — where the execution chamber is located in another part of the facility — less than three weeks into a life prison term for killing University of Arkansas  cheerleader Dominique Hurd in 1998.

At the conclusion of that trial, he had taunted the young woman’s family by turning to them after the sentence was announced and saying “You thought I was going to die, didn’t you?”

After jumping from the barrel, he sneaked along a tree line until reaching Boren’s house. He killed Boren, stole guns and Boren’s truck and then drove away to Missouri. There, he crashed into a water-delivery truck, killing the driver. While in prison, he confessed to killing another person in 1998.

At the time of Boren’s death, investigators said it did not appear Boren was targeted because of his former employment by the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Read: US state of Arkansas executes two prisoners in one night >

Read: Arkansas rushes to execute prisoners this week – before lethal drugs expire >

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33 Comments
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:30 PM

    Here’s another deadline loomng Philly….Anglo Bondholders being paid in March. Try using the bootboy tactics on them.

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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:45 PM

    While I am against the house tax and water charges I agree with this,its 5e to register before 1st Feb and 50 after,this is to ensure older soak hole systems are replaced with more environmentally friendly systems(do you really want the contents of someones toilet seeping into the ground and water tables..there is a 4k grant to upgrade your system it will only affect a small few who are going to get a grant to fix it

    26
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    Mute Kieran Gallagher
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:52 PM

    it-is-50e-to; register-before-1st-feb.

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    Mute Paul Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:00 PM

    yes 50 to register by 1st Feb but this will last for 5 years only when you’ll have to register again – no reason at all given or whether it’ll then become an annual charge. They want people to use registered contractors only to empty the tanks meaning an increased cost and tax and you have to keep the receipt for 12 months so you can’t say you’ve had it done you have to prove it and send them the receipt. This will cost about 400 a year. The grants for remediation are means tested and capped at 4,000. A new system costs far more. I’ve talked to people with the new systems who have dreadful problems with them. The 5,000 fine I presume is only after a court appearance not a payment that has to be paid on 2nd Feb. I presume if you register on March 1st the cost is still 50 euro? They havn’t said anything about penalties and charges.

    22
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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:11 PM

    A fully functional septic tank only needs emptying every 3or so years and costs 150..

    17
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    Mute Paul Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:46 PM

    If there’s any registered companies emptying tanks for 150 pls advertise you’d get a lot of business!

    22
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    Mute Adrian Hennessy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:01 PM

    Steve its very possible that upgrade works could consist of treatment systems instead of septic tanks, sand polishing filters, pumped raised bed percolation areas, imported soils etc. 4k would be very quickly swallowed up. if all necessary regulations were complied with at time of installation then there should be no upgrade cost to the homeowner. If however, conditions were stipulated and not complied with, I would have no sympathy for the homeowner burdening the majority of the cost.

    6
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    Mute Tim Lawson
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:09 PM

    @Paul. Are u recommending using non-registered contractors. Where do these good folk dump the contents of the tanks they suck out? It’s at their discretion now isn’t it Paul.

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    Mute Richard Rodgers
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:18 PM

    Paul
    There is a Dundalk firm who travelled to my property on the Meath Dublin border for two hundred Euro when I was switching my system to a Biocycle last September.

    2
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    Mute Paul Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:22 PM

    i’m sure everyone would rather use a registered contractor Tim and would gladly do it if the cost was 150.

    5
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    Mute Richard Rodgers
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:23 PM

    Tony
    Apart for European Waste Water Directives how would you like to be discharging human waste on to your neighbors property and well water while spreading disease such as Cryptospiridium which meant that residents of Galway had to boil all their cooking and drinking water for three years.
    Do you not think Tony that we should be cleaning up our shit as good neighbors as opposed to good citizens or do you belong to the old school that shits on everyone around you?
    Is that the language you understand Tony because I just spent fifteen thousand installing a new system for that very purpose and I didn’t ask for any handouts from the State.

    8
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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:59 PM

    @aidrean,its for the best and will only have a impact on a few who have it run into a soak hole or who’s tank is hazardous..iv checked and the cost of a approved tank can be fitted for 4k

    1
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    Mute Julie
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:30 PM

    Don’t register, boycott taxes until they start listening to what the people they represent want . If ye are not capable then step down.

    84
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    Mute David Ganly
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:47 PM

    Do you have a septic tank ? – me thinks not.

    19
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    Mute David Ganly
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:50 PM

    @Julie – Do you have a septic tank? – me thinks not.

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    Mute Adrian Hennessy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:03 PM

    I’d rather not drink contaminated water, thank you.

    10
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    Mute Ryan'Ooh
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    Jan 29th 2013, 12:26 AM

    I’m not particularly fond of some of the laws in this country, but I’m still obliged to obey them.

    Lots of people want different things from their taxes. I would prefer to see money invested in education, infrastructure and research and development; yet my taxes in-part also go to pay for third-generation workless households and the children of fathers who have absolved themselves of responsibility for their off-spring, something I object to thoroughly. Yet I still pay my taxes so I can enjoy the benefits of liing in this state. Perhaps what you want from your tax euros is different to me, and perhaps the next person has a different idea again – regardless, we all have a responsibility to society!

    3
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    Mute PETER DALY
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:54 PM

    It stinks just like the Minister !

    47
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    Mute Noel Hogan
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:45 PM

    Registration and inspection of septic tanks makes complete sense and should have been brought in decades ago. Can’t tell if they pollute or not unless you inspect them! Those who pretend its some kind of money spinner are simply wrong – if anything, the inspections will show up some pretty awful stories of water pollution.

    37
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    Mute Paul Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 6:51 PM

    i was in Castletown Bere during the summer and noted that the sewage from the whole town is pumped untreated straight into the sea. Why are they picking on individuals and not tackling the public system? If they updated the public systems they may be able to include more households close to towns which have existing tanks.

    49
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:13 PM

    I actually agree with a regular inspection of septic tanks and I think most people are.
    It’s not the actual tax,I think it’s peoples heckles are up because of that bully hogan and his bully boy tactics.

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    Mute Paul Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:45 PM

    I think it is the tax too that has people’s heckles up. If I was asked for 50 euro to register that I was on the public scheme I’d be annoyed too. Why do these people have to pay to register? They’re doing the government a favour by helping compile a register why charge them?

    18
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    Mute Julie
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:46 PM

    I think it just people are sick of tax after tax that they are struggling to pay , on top of cut after cut making it impossible to pay, boycott unfair taxes.

    22
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    Mute David Stephan
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:33 PM

    What happens to the millions of gallons of shyte to flow from the council sewers in limerick and Dublin straight into the Shannon and the Liffey? Where are the mandatory inspections and charges there?

    23
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    Mute Richard Rodgers
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    Jan 28th 2013, 9:01 PM

    Mike
    I implementing European Directives makes you a bully ?
    Do you expect a Government Minister to turn his back on the law?
    What type of person are you?

    5
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Jan 28th 2013, 9:13 PM

    @ richard rodgers/paddy rodgers/michael j collins or what other pathetic idiotic sham you are hiding behind today.
    Who wants to hear the opinion of a gombeen troll like you. Now run along you pathetic muppet and cuddle up to your hogan and kenny teddybears .
    I you ever decide to post under your real name give us a shout.

    15
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    Mute Adrienne Kelly
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:11 PM

    We need to unite on this – please don’t register for this as they can’t prosecute a large quantity of people it’s not cost effective. The more who abstain from this registration the better.
    I’m not registering as mine is an old system but not near a water table & is cleaned regularly plus I cannot afford to replace this system that works perfectly well & gives no trouble just because someone who sits on an office & dictates letter of policy says it doesn’t conform to a new law. It was a good system years ago when it went it & still works perfectly so……. If it ain’t broke don’t tell me it needs to be fixed !!

    36
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    Mute Adrian Hennessy
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:07 PM

    ‘not near a water table’…??? unless you live on the coast you can be damned sure your run off eventually makes it to the water table. Most places in Ireland would actually be less than10 metres over a water table.

    10
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    Mute John Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2013, 11:19 PM

    Your probably right Aidrian which surely goes to prove that the system installed must be working just fine. No?

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    Mute brian merrigan
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    Jan 28th 2013, 7:46 PM

    What makes me laugh is that you couldn’t go in the water in youghal during last summer because they pump the sewage straight into the sea there also. The farmers around me spread cow manure on the fields around me which seeps into my water supply which has to be filtered as a result, not that I have any real problem with that, after all I live in the countryside, it’s just in the overall scheme of things I don’t think what comes out of my tank is the problem. I’m not worried though because the property tax is going to pay for services, so I look forward to the council connecting me up to the mains sewage and a nice treated water supply

    25
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    Mute Desmond Wisley
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:58 PM

    More money for local government for piss all. So they can sit on their glass palaces looking busy ,no property tax , no septic tank tax

    16
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    Mute Suzanne Mc Aleenan
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:30 PM

    agree with brian pproperty tax shud cover septic tank.

    14
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    Mute Karl O Flynn
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    Jan 28th 2013, 9:17 PM

    This government speak of individual septic tanks and yet there is a coastal town in cork county which pumps untreated sewage straight into the sea beyond the continental shelf. I have no doubt the state is paying a fine to the EU for this madness. To build a treatment plant would avoid fines and create jobs. There are probably similar situations all over the country. NO JOINED UP THINKING and more importantly no government TD from the area.

    11
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    Mute Grainne Lavers Gould
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    Jan 28th 2013, 8:24 PM

    Why would you need to pay to register a septic tank that they already know you have??? Why don’t they stop wasting time and resources and send a letter stating that an engineer will be out to check that its working properly or even better a deadline for householder to send in a report from a registered company that maintain tanks etc. Then if people don’t do it fine them.

    11
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    Mute Colm O'Leary
    Favourite Colm O'Leary
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    Jan 29th 2013, 12:26 AM

    What about all the houses in the country that have sites too small to comply with modern regulations. My house was built in 1938 and the only way I could comply with what they want is to sink a new well and demolish my house to get the distances required. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person out there in this situation. Will they give me a grant to build a new house? I don’t think so somehow!

    3
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