USA: OKLAHOMA BOMBER TIMOTHY McVEIGH SENTENCED TO DEATH UPDATE (2)

(14 Jun 1997) English/Nat
A jury has condemned Timothy McVeigh to death for the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168.
The jury deliberated for more than 11 hours before deciding unanimously that McVeigh should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history.
But it is not known when - or even if - the decorated Gulf War veteran will be executed, as appeals could take at least three years.
Timothy McVeigh's family walk into court to hear his fate.
His mother, father and sister were followed by prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler.
Inside the court, the jury condemned McVeigh to death for the Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168.
The jury decided unanimously that the 29-year-old decorated Gulf War veteran should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history.
Outside the court, relatives of victims hugged each other.
After the sentence was announced, McVeigh's defence attorney - Stephen Jones - called for a time of healing in the country.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The jury has spoken and their verdict is entitled to respect and all Americans should accord it that respect until such time, if ever, it is overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction. We ask that the barriers and intolerance which have divided us may crumble and that suspicions disappear and that hatreds cease and that our divisions and intolerance being healed, we may live together in justice and in peace. "
SUPER CAPTION: Stephen Jones, Timothy McVeigh's Defence Attorney
Prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler said he hoped the verdict would prevent such a crime happening again.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is not a day of great joy for the prosecution team. We're pleased that the system worked and that justice prevailed, but the verdict doesn't diminish the great sadness that occurred in Oklahoma City two years ago. Our only hope is that the verdict will go some way to preventing such terrible drastic crime from ever occurring again. Thank you."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Hartzler, Prosecution Attorney
But not everyone in Denver agreed with the jury's decision.
One group of people staged an anti-death penalty march through the city after the sentence was announced.
In Oklahoma City, people gathered outside the ruins of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building.
Here, again, the sense of relief was tinged with sadness.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What a lot of people are forgetting is about McVeigh's family. They're victims in this also because their son has committed the worst crime on U-S soil. My heart goes out to them, but yet they still get to see their son - I won't get to see my mum."
SUPER CAPTION: Son of victim
Some victims' families cheered when they heard that McVeigh had been given the death sentence, while others hugged each other with relief.
But there were mixed views as to whether the death sentence was an appropriate punishment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think it's a sad day the fact that we have to sentence anyone to death, or even to life imprisonment without parole. It's certainly not a joyous occasion."
SUPER CAPTION: Father of victim
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm just very satisfied with what was done here. It was not easy, but it was the morally correct thing to do. It was a courageous thing for this jury because it was not easy, but it certainly was the right thing to do."
SUPER CAPTION: Frank Keating, Governor of Oklahoma
But Oklahoma City is taking no chances.
The district attorney is also pressing murder charges against McVeigh in the local courts, and he, too, will be seeking the death penalty.
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