The State of Virginia executed Larry ‘Bill’ Elliot tonight around 9 pm. Elliot was the oldest person on death row in Virginia. He was convicted of killing 25-year-old Dana Thrall and 30-year-old Robert Finch in a capital murder charge. Both victims were killed inside Thrall’s Woodbridge townhouse on Jan. 2, 2001.
Elliot chose to die by electrocution, which is still an option in Virginia. The U. S. Supreme Court refused to consider his appeal and Governor Tim Kaine refused to intervene.
Elliot killed Finch and Finch’s girlfriend Dana Thrall over a custody dispute between Finch and Elliot’s girl friend named Rebecca Gragg. Click for the story.
Prince William County has had 2 executions in a week. Last Tuesday, Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad was executed by lethal injection, again convicted in Prince William County. The execution chambers are at the Greensville Correctional Center in Waverly, Virginia.
So, as they say, Elliot got to ride the lightning bolt. One less killer. For those who defend the death penalty, justice has been served. For those who do not, I suppose it hasn’t been a very good month.
Glad to hear “Ole Sparky” is still in working order!! It’s about time the Commonwealth is back to putting those on death row to death as the law allows.
Okay, but did you see The Green Mile? That was some pretty frightening sh*t. The thought of it does not make me happy. Makes a horrific story more horrifying if you ask me.
If you’re a law abiding citizen then you have much more to fear from people like Elliot than you do from the possibility of winding up taking a ride in Sparky. Problem is murder victims rarely get to tell their side of the story, or speak of the horror they endured.
I oppose the death penalty, but I suppose one could look at it as a form of suicide–don’t commit capital crimes if you don’t want capital punishment.
That is assuming that the right person is being punished.
“Sparky” is an option. I’m sure they choose it for it’s “shock” value! har har har
Because we all know Hollywood is reality…
Advances in DNA forensics makes me more comfortable with the death penalty.
Probably everyone goes through some sort of personal inventory over the concept of the death penalty. I did my years ago–before all the DNA advancements. I think the girl who attended Frostberg College who was tortured and murdered pushed me over the edge. After that, I would have volunteered to pull the switch on some cases.
Good point, Emma and I think we have to determine that we have the right person. Ole Sparky is permanent. Welcome back. Were you on vacation?
Good one, Mando. I don’t know why someone would choose electrocution over lethal injection.
Emma,
I do admire your constistancy when it comes to being pro-life. Although I don’t agree with you on the matter, I do feel your stance is what a real pro-lifer’s should be. I only know a handful that are like yourself. Pro-life means you are for life at ALL stages in life, and not just the unborn. Your comment reminded me of the old ads “Don’t do the crime, if can’t do the time”. With capital crime cases the time means death. I do feel the right thing was done last night and last Tuesday night.
Metallica fans.
Now if we could just get Powell taken care of. There is a person who has worn out all chances.
I see some softening on Emma’s part over snuffing out the sniper. Am I wrong?
Justin, the Green Mile was horrible, I agree. And occassionally the wrong person gets incarcerated or even executed. And it is always sensationalized, as it probably should be.
However, look at the percent. Tiny. Granted, it should not happen at all. Modern forensics should make it even less likely. No one should be executed without using all modern forensics that might prove one’s innocence.
Unfortunately, that punk Powell’s case in the hands of the Supreme Court. He should’ve fried a long time ago, and he too chose “ole sparky”.
Lafayette, so far, those convicted in PWC who are now begging for mercy from the Supremes aren’t doing too well. 2 out of 2 isn’t bad. Powell should get told NO also. It should be painful to be stupid.
Ignoramus sez:
Who is Powell?
Punchak, no Ingoramus. This horrific crime was committed in our “backyard” in nearby Yorkshire. This story will make you sick if you aren’t familiar with it, and if you are familiar you’ll be sick again. I’ve seen the mother and surving sister on numerous occassions at the courthouse, and it always broke my heart. This guy is a cold blooded killer, and a fool to boot!
http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/court_issues_stay_in_powell_execution/39347/