U.S. Judge OKs Videotaping of Execution
A federal judge Friday ruled that the execution of John Frederick Thanos may be videotaped and his brain waves monitored as possible evidence to determine if death by lethal gas is cruel and unusual punishment.
U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis said the constitutionality of the gas chamber is a “serious question” that should be decided on “the best possible evidence.” He agreed with attorneys for another Death Row inmate that a videotape of Thanos’ death could be critical evidence and must be preserved.
Thanos, who confessed to killing three teen-agers during a weeklong crime spree in 1990, has said he wants no more appeals, which could make him the first person executed in Maryland since 1961. He has agreed to the monitoring.
Thanos is waiting out an automatic 240-day stay provided by state law. The earliest he could be executed is March 3.
The next person in line for execution after Thanos is convicted murderer Donald Thomas. His attorneys hope to use the videotape in an appeal of his death sentence.
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