WASHINGTON ¨C Jerry Givens executed 62 people. His routine and conviction never wavered. He¡¯d shave the person¡¯s head, lay his hand on the bald pate and ask for God¡¯s forgiveness for the condemned. Then, he would strap the person into Virginia¡¯s electric chair.
Givens was the state¡¯s chief executioner for 17 years ¡ª at a time when the commonwealth put more people to death than any state besides Texas.
¡°If you knew going out there that raping and killing someone had the consequence of the death penalty, then why are you going to do it?¡± Givens asked. ¡°I considered it suicide.¡±
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