Taping of McVeigh's execution banned

A federal appeals court has overturned a judge's order that Timothy McVeigh's execution be videotaped for use in a separate court…

A federal appeals court has overturned a judge's order that Timothy McVeigh's execution be videotaped for use in a separate court case.

Lawyers are trying to show the death penalty violates a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The appeals court has blocked the taping order until a panel of judges in Philadelphia can consider it.

The Justice Department is fighting against any videotaping, citing a federal regulation that prohibits any photographic, visual or audio recording of executions.

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McVeigh's execution by injection on Monday in Indiana will be the first federal application of the death penalty since 1963.

McVeigh's lawyer Mr Chris Tritico says a defence lawyer in the Pennsylvania case contacted him to ask if McVeigh would mind the videotaping.

He said: "I discussed it with my client. He said he would not oppose the videotaping or the use of it in that case."

PA