It's 11:59 PM, Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2005. Two hours before the big event. Already fans are in the stands, eyes on the injection station, waiting for number 1000, Kenneth Lee Boyd, double murderer.
I am the champion, my friend. And I'll be 1000 till the end.
After signing autographs, Boyd gave the crowd what it came for — jesturing and pantomiming a shot into his left left arm. Then another. And another. A sight to behold. Look at the fans’ faces—rapt, wondering, amazed, and satisfied. It's almost as if he's executing himself over and over in practice and the crowd is eating it up like it was
Moons over My Hammy.
Has anyone seen my dignity? I had it here in my sleeping bag next to Mr. Wigglesworth last night.
Fans have remained here since Elias Hanna Syriani (#997 on the all time list) was put down back on November 18, 2005 for the 1990 murder of his wife with with a screwdriver. Syriani made several pleas to get his execution delayed so that he could have held the 1000 spot, including giving up his last meal to stay the inevitable, but it was not to be. People camped out over the Thanksgiving holiday to get themselves a good seat for this milestone execution. Some even wore costumes to show their spirit and joi de vie for the event.
"We wanted to wear something that showed our age."
As November began, Syriani, Randall Nance, even Hicks each had a chance. Their chase was packing fans into every prison and state-run injectory. "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn about executions," said Annie Cockledue, long time North Carolina resident and foam finger wearing fan of lethal injections. She continued, "we can’t look away, and don’t really want to."
In other tradgedies, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck celebrated the 1000th execution by welcoming the birth of their baby girl, 'Oops.'
As Kenneth Lee Boyd steps into the box, his image morphs from murderer into American icon. The sheriff on the empty street facing the bad guys; Lindbergh alone in the sky. Even Robert Redford, whose light-show home run in "The Natural," was more than a game winner. It was what we all seek one time or another: redemption. Syriani, Nance, Hicks, arm outstreched, waiting for the prick of the needle, face to face, man to man, and then they go.
Now serving 1001. Get in line to get your seat reserved! They're going faster than the Xbox 360.
ANNOUNCER: He sends the needle deep into his left! Back goes the eyes! Head to the pillow. He stiffens up! He’s got it, number 1000!
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