error related to the first jury's understanding of the meaning of life in prison, and mandated a new sentencing hearing. In 1996, prominent New Mexico capital defense lawyer Gary Mitchell represented Clark at his retrial in Silver City, New Mexico. Aarons and Anaya were among dozens of witnesses who testified on behalf of Clark. Anaya explained why he would have commuted Clark's sentence if he had the legal authority to do so. The second jury also returned a death sentence. Execution Clark waived his appeals in 1999 and was executed on November 6, 2001. According to the team commander that executed Clark, two weeks prior to the scheduled execution Clark was escorted from his cell and placed in a holding cell. Six officers were assigned to 24 hour "death watch" shifts. During these final two weeks, Clark received visits from attorneys, clergy, and his girlfriend. He requested Long John Silver's fish and shrimp as his last meal; he did not want dessert. At exactly 7:00 p.m. on November 6, 2001, he was escorted from his cell to the death chamber, visibly shaken and mildly sobbing. The team assisted him as his whole body was trembling. He was strapped down to the table and an I.V. was inserted. The warden and clergy had brief words with him. Warden Tim LeMaster read the death warrant and asked Clark if he had any last words, to which he replied, "15 minutes". The curtains were opened for the witnesses (20 as per state law) and the drugs were injected. Clark was pronounced dead eight minutes later. The witnesses were escorted out of the facility and the body released to the medical examiner. This made him the first inmate in New Mexico to be executed in 41 years and the only one to be executed by lethal injection. On March 18, 2009, Governor Bill Richardson signed a death penalty abolition bill into law. He had been a supporter of capital punishment for years, but said that he lacked confidence in the current system to make the final decision on who lives and who dies. See also Capital punishment in New Mexico Capital punishment in the United States List of most recent executions by jurisdiction List of people executed in New Mexico List of people executed in the United States in 2001 References External links Joline Gutierrez Krueger. . The Albuquerque Tribune (2001-11-08). Archived from the