Timothy Mcveigh: A Bombing In Oklahoma City

On the day of April 19th 1995 the unthinkable happened, a bombing in Oklahoma City. Not only did it shake Oklahoma to the core, it also took it’s toll on our great nation. The culprit of this crime was Timothy Mcveigh. His punishment was death, and it was well deserved. His death was viewed by some, but it should have been seen by the nation. Timothy McVeigh had a very strange personality. “When he became angry, he would let out a high pitched shriek,” said Jeff Camp (Thomas). Although it was not proven that he had a mental illness many people assumed he did. “ He began to lift weights and obsessed with guns.” (Thomas). At a young age McVeigh began his obsession with guns, “his first toy was a pellet gun.” (Thomas). McVeigh’s interest in guns …show more content…
“Around 250 relatives and survivors are expected to watch the execution of Timothy McVeigh.” (Adams). The government only let in people that were affected from the bombing or relatives of people who past away from it. “ The broadcast will be closed circuit” (Statham). This meaning there would only be a direct broadcast to the place the viewers were in and it couldn’t be seen anywhere else. Although the government only let people directly affected be allowed to watch, people from around the U.S should have been able to tune in live. There were many people who were affected, but not directly that wanted closure. Not only would a live nationwide broadcast bing closure, it would also bring satisfaction for taxpayers that support the death …show more content…
One of those reasons is McVeigh wanted it to be on national television. “Timothy McVeigh actually wants his execution to be televised.” (Statham). By airing his death this would help complete a goal of a mass murderer. “The audience of two to three hundred is larger than normal, but far smaller than the national audience the Timothy McVeigh had wanted.” (Adams). By keeping it local, less people saw it and McVeigh’s wishes were not met. McVeigh also wanted to feel like a martyrdom. “ He needs a spectacle to confirm his sense of martyrdom. Indeed, his attorney told reporters that McVeigh’s desire for an audience was an argument in favor of granting his request for public broadcast.” (Carlson). The jail also limited other communications from McVeigh. “Other moves to deprive him of the attention he craves forbidding jailhouse interviews, limiting phone calls.” (Carlson). By doing those actions it has limited even more of what he wants, which is publicity. “ Cynthia Ferrell Ashwood, who lost her sister, hopes for a boycott, believing it would punish McVeigh even more.” (Carlson). “ I would like him to die very much alone, which is how my sister died. It won’t hurt him for me to watch him die. It will just please him” (Carlson). Showing his death would just have fulfilled his