A reader writes:
I was a friend of his through high school and college and stayed in touch with him until before he left for overseas. I had many discussions with him about what motivated people and about the nature of evil and power. I have no doubt that the reason he refused sedation is that he did not want to make it easier, in the least, on the killers’ consciences. So he was willing to go through hell fully conscious as the price.
If only his murderers had consciences unalloyed by religious fundamentalism. We must remember that they beheaded him for the sake of their God. This was a religious execution.
(Photo: AFP/Getty from January 2002.)
The Dish 