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TITLE: Mother Will Cook Son's Last Meal |
AUTHOR: Frank Wiget |
PUB: Post Tribune |
DATE: March 10, 2001 |
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Just after midnight Wednesday, Gerald Bivins is scheduled to die by lethal injection. But first, his mother will cook his last meal. The condemned killer's wish - to bring his mother into the prison kitchen - will be the first of its kind when it takes place Tuesday, said Barry Nothstine, Indiana State Prison spokesman. The menu will feature the chicken and dumplings and German ravioli that Bivins, now 41, loved as a child.While his mother will cook his last meal with food supplied by the Department of Correction, she won't be among the 10 people watching the execution about 100 yards from the prison cell where he will spend his last days, Bivins said Thursday during a news conference in the prison. He said he has invited friends and family members, whom he didn't identify. Bivins, wearing a red jump suit, and with his arms and legs shackled, was led into a room filled with reporters, photographers and television camera crews. Correctional officers stood on each side of him as he talked and answered reporters' questions for about an hour. "I'm sorry for the crime I committed," he said. He was convicted for the Jan. 16, 1991, shooting of the Rev. William Radcliffe of Brookston at a rest stop along Interstate 65 north of Lebanon. Radcliffe, 39, who had been pastor of Badger Grove Community Church, was starting a new job as director of an alcohol treatment program called New Directions in Lafayette. Bivins said he killed Radcliffe because the pastor recognized him and he was intoxicated, violating parole after serving prison time for robbery. Radcliffe's 22-year-old son, Matt, said Thursday evening he believes Bivins will back out, seeking a stay of execution."In 1994, he said he would quit his appeals, but didn't. Everytime, he gets media attention, it brings back the memories of 10 years ago." Karen Radcliffe, Matt's mother, left a statement with her son and left town. "I pray that Mr. Bivins can find God's peace and love," she said. "I regret he has been unable to exhibit any remorse." Bivins blamed alcohol for his demons. ""I was a union painter making $16.55 an hour" before drinking made him late for work and resulted in his being fired. "I'm sorry I done something terrible," Bivins said, adding he recently dropped federal appeals of the death sentence and is ready to die. Bivins was found guilty of murder, robbery, confinement, theft and vehicle theft. Earlier the day of the slaying, Bivins and another man robbed a Lebanon motel guest, taking his wallet and van.While Bivins complained he has spent many of his days locked up in a cell and unable to get fresh air, Nothstine said Bivins is part of a group of death row inmates called Korvaryans that have caused many disturbances, including an attack Jan. 2 on a correctional officer. If the sentence was commuted, Bivins said his 114-year sentence would mean he would spend the rest of his life in prison. "I can't live like this," he said. Frank Wiget can be reached at 477-6012 (Ed. note: The execution took place at Indiana State Prison as per schedule. Gerald Bivin's life ended by lethal injection shortly after midnight, March 14.) END |