[Martin Savidge, Cnn Anchor:] "He is prepared, and is ready for his execution;" the words of Timothy McVeigh's attorney describing the Oklahoma City bomber's state of mind, in the final hours of his life. CNN's Bill Hemmer is in Terre Haute, Indiana, where McVeigh was moved this morning to a cell next to the execution room Bill.
[Bill Hemmer, Cnn Correspondent:] Marty, hello again from Terre Haute. News coming to us now from the highest court in Washington: the Supreme court has denied an appeal to have the execution videotaped tomorrow morning. A lawyer, operating in a separate manner, unrelated to McVeigh's case, had appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, trying to get a videotape for his own client which he said, which showed that lethal injection was cruel and unusual punishment. However, the appeal has been denied. There will be no videotaping of the McVeigh execution tomorrow morning. Having said that, McVeigh right now is in his holding cell. It is the final destination, the final place where he will spend his final hours before he is to die tomorrow morning. McVeigh was brought to that holding cell before the sun came up here in Terre Haute by a transport van here on the prison grounds. Prison guards escorting McVeigh, say he was cooperative, and the 20 minute procedure went without any problem. They also say McVeigh was taken into the area secured, and again, he stays there at this time. Late word today, though, does indicate a break of procedure. We had been told earlier that McVeigh will have no radio and no television inside that holding cell. But now it appears the warden has conceded and given McVeigh a small television with cable privileges for his last night, again, before he is to die tomorrow morning. Also, two of McVeigh's attorneys met with McVeigh, separated by a pane of window, a window glass separating the two, earlier today and the attorneys came and spoke with reporters a short time ago, characterizing how McVeigh was feeling and what he was thinking during that meeting.
[Rob Nigh, Mcveigh Attorney:] He will have final words. His mind over the last weekend has been to prepare for his execution tomorrow. He had prepared previously. He had indicated previously and he's never changed his thinking on this, that he prefers to be executed than to spend lengthy life in prison, without the possibility of a release. And he still feels that way.
[Nathan Chambers, Mcveigh Attorney:] He is in amazingly good spirits. He's pleasant to talk to. He continues to be affable. He continues to be rational with his discourse. He maintains a sense of humor. He I know after the move in the middle of the night, he was able to sleep for a couple of hours. He intends to sleep again tonight. I don't know how a normal person who is less than 24 hours from death is supposed to react, but I would say his his attitude and demeanor is very good.
[Hemmer:] Both attorneys, Chambers and Nigh, again indicating they plan a meeting with McVeigh behind the prison walls tomorrow morning for a short time before McVeigh is led to the execution table. Meanwhile, outside the prison, we do expect a number of protesters to assemble later this evening. CNN's Jeff Flock about three miles across town with one part of that protest, and joins us now with an update for what's happening. Jeff, hello.
[Jeff Flock, Cnn Correspondent:] Indeed, hello to you too, Bill. We are preparing for a march at the prison this hour. Perhaps you see in the ground behind me as the folks walk around. This is what will lead the march, Uncle Sam, and signs that say, "Stop Me Before I Kill Again." That's another one. Here's one down there: "WWJD, What Would Jesus Do?" Susan Carter, who's helped organize this march. You presume Jesus would not be killing today on behalf of the federal government.
[Susan Carter, Protester:] I certainly do presume that, yes.
[Flock:] What do you hope to accomplish. What message are you trying to send?
[Carter:] We need to be a visible presence out there to say "no" to the death penalty in all cases. We're not supportive of it.
[Flock:] What is the group going to do when it gets to the prison? What does it want to accomplish there?
[Carter:] Well, the march itself, the act of the march, with our signs and our banners, will show the people that are willing to take this fairly arduous walk out there, the conditions aren't so great to stand up and say, they're against capital punishment.
[Flock:] Susan Carter, we'll have to stop there. We'll be checking with you throughout this evening, as the march gets underway and as the park, gets underway. I do want to report to you, Bill, real quick, we're down to Voorees Park, which is where the pro-capital punishment group is. A smaller group there, but a group there as well. These two groups wanting to make their voice known throughout this entire process. And we'll be watching. Bill, back to you.
[Hemmer:] All right, Jeff. Jeff flock from across town here in Terre Haute. 14 hours now and counting to the execution of Timothy McVeigh. It will take place tomorrow morning, 8:00 a.m. Eastern time here in western Indiana. Marty, back to you back in Atlanta.
[Savidge:] Thank you, Bill.