More and more macabre in Arkansas

As previously noted, the state of Arkansas plans eight executions of convicts in ten days next month -- because its supply of the drug it uses to kill is reaching its expiration date.

But Arkansas is running up against an obstacle. No, not final appeals and other legal maneuvers, though death penalty lawyers are doing their best. But rather, they are having trouble rounding up enough citizen witnesses who want to see the grizzly show. State law requires at least 6 witnesses at each execution; where to find the needed volunteers?

According to ArkansasMatters.com, Wendy Kelley, Director of the Department of Correction, took her problem to a Little Rock Rotary Club.

At Tuesday's meeting [Bill] Booker, [acting as substitute president,] says after a presentation ..., she casually asked the audience to volunteer as citizen witnesses for the state's upcoming executions.

"Temporarily there was a little laugh from the audience because they thought she might be kidding," says Booker. "It quickly became obvious that she was not kidding."

... "I could understand not even wanting to read about these occurrences let alone have to be in the room or watching," says Michelle Frost, a Little Rock resident. Frost is not sure how she feels about the death penalty, but is sure she would not want to witness an execution.

... Marianne McKinney supports the death penalty. She says "they made their decisions and have to suffer the consequences." McKinney believes the inmates on death row have been rightly convicted and would not mind witnessing an execution.

"I know it may seem cold, but we need justice on our streets to protect us," says McKinney. "I don't think it'd bother me at all."

The article ends with an address anyone wanting to volunteer can use to get in touch with the Department of Correction.