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Article: The Death Penalty On Trial: Special Report: DNA and other evidence freed 87 people from death row; now Ricky McGinn is roiling Campaign 2000. Why America's rethinking capital punishment.(National Affairs)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Newsweek
- Article date:
- June 12, 2000
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He stood at the threshold of the execution chamber in Huntsville, Texas, 18 minutes from death by lethal injection, when official word finally came that the needle wouldn't be needed that day. The rumors of a 30-day reprieve were true. Ricky McGinn, a 43-year-old mechanic found guilty of raping and killing his 12-year-old stepdaughter, will get his chance to prove his innocence with advanced DNA testing that hadn't been available at the time of his 1994 conviction. The double cheeseburger, french fries and Dr Pepper he requested for dinner last Thursday night won't be his last meal after all.
Another galvanizing moment in the long-running debate over capital ...