USA: TEXAS: KARLA FAYE TUCKER EXECUTION LOOKS SET TO GO AHEAD (3)

(3 Feb 1998) English/Nat

Hours before her scheduled execution on Tuesday, Karla Faye Tucker lost a U-S Supreme Court appeal seeking to block the nation's first execution of a woman in 14 years.

The fate of the pickax killer turned born-again Christian is now in the hands of Texas Governor George W. Bush, who could temporarily delay Tuesday night's execution with a one-time, 30-day reprieve.

Her attorneys also were pursuing several last-minute appeals in other courts.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Q- Is there a place for mercy the way the law is written today?
A - In Texas, I don't think so. And hopefully that will change.
Q - Should there be?
A - Hopefully, because God said you deserve mercy over sacrifice or over the law and there should always be a place for mercy."
SUPER CAPTION: Karla Faye Tucker

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What you're going to do is cut down on the recidivism rate. If you want to talk about crime, cutting down on crime, you're going to cut down on the recidivism rate. You will make your society a safer place because if God is literally living in somebody and their life is governed by his law and his love and his morals when they walk out of here, they're not going to be a threat to our society.They will be a valuable contributing member to our society. "
SUPER CAPTION: Tucker

SOUNDBITE: (English)
A -If I go home February 3rd, don't take that as God not answering our prayers. And I know there are so many out there just believing, really praying and believing and asking God for mercy. God's given mercy, I mean he's given it so abundantly, and if he brings me home February 3 its because his wisdom, in his sovereignty, he knew that through that something greater is going to be accomplished. "
SUPER CAPTION: Tucker

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Q - What are you going to be thinking about if you face execution?
A- Well I'll be thinking about certainly what its like in heaven. I'll be thinking about my family and my friends and the pain. I'm going to be thankful for all of the love. Probably wishing there was a way I could give everyone a hug."
SUPER CAPTION: Tucker

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