Joseph Gardner - SC - 12/5/08

[Russki]

Could be SHOWTIME folks. Lets hope so.

JT, are you also a pilot?
Frenchy

[roo28]

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK...
Enjoy today Jo... it might be your last! 

[JeffB]

Joey - Good Morning...  Rise and shine my man...  Got a big day ahead of us...  Aren't you excited?...  You get to have those great visits, a big ol' killer meal; you get to spend time with your favorite spiritual adviser, a shower, some new clothes...  Oh, and you'll be the center of attention all day long...  Isn't it great?....  You must be VERY excited...  How `bout some breakfast - ya hungry?  Save some room for your special meal, ok?....  And tonight, we're throwing you a little party in your honor (or dishonor..)...  Everyone will be there...  Be sure to have a designated driver though; cause you'll be having the most cocktails...   

[Heidi Salazar]

Gardner execution set tonight
State high court denies request for stay

By Glenn Smith (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, December 5, 2008



After 13 years on South Carolina's Death Row, convicted murderer Joseph Gardner is scheduled to be executed tonight by lethal injection in Columbia.

 

Gardner is set to die at 6 p.m. for his role in the rape, torture and killing of 25-year-old Melissa "Missi" McLauchlin in December 1992.

Gardner helped brutalize McLauchlin at a North Charleston home before he shot her and dumped her body along a Dorchester County road.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday denied Gardner's request for relief and a stay of his execution. He can appeal that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, but had not done so by late Thursday, according to court officials.

Gardner also has not requested clemency from the governor's office, according to Joel Sawyer, the governor's press secretary.

 
Gardner would be the 281st person executed in South Carolina since 1912, and the 40th inmate put to death in the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. He would be the third inmate executed in the state this year.

McLauchlin's parents, who live in Live Oak, Fla., don't plan to attend the execution. Her father, Clair McLauchlin, has said the event would simply reopen old wounds and do little to ease the grief he and family have endured since Dec. 30, 1992.


The Detroit native was found guilty in 1995 and sentenced to die. Two other men charged in the case received life sentences for murder, and two others who prosecutors said raped McLauchlin each received less than 10 years in prison as part of plea deals.

http://charleston.net/news/2008/dec/05/gardner_execution_set_tonight64063/

[JT]

Psst, Heidi, m'dear... I posted that article on the previous page.

JT, are you also a pilot?

Not quite... But it's a long story of why I never completed my PPL.  I've got more than a few hours in high-wing Cessnas and a few Pipers.

[beterave]

Every time one of these dirt bags are about to go down, there is always a lot of talk about heaven and hell. It may be of interest to know that these concepts do cause problems in therapy at times.

In particular with those who have been sexually abused by priests (about half the world by some estimates... )

For those who were strongly religious, there are additional considerations to deal with. One is " Why did God want this to happen" or "God could have stopped it. Why didn't he?"

In addition, if the Christian concept of forgiveness is accepted, a huge anxiety may be experienced by the victim when approaching death...as they will be spending eternity with their abuser. I have come across such situations several times.

I am sure that such thoughts must cross the minds of victims families who are strongly religious.

Frenchy

We live across the street from one of those churches, where the women dress in long dresses and wear their hair in buns, but are not Amish or Menonite religions.  Just some weird offbeat religion.

Anyway, about a week after we had just buried Brandon, one of the women from the church approached me.  I know she meant well, but it just went all over me, as I was still in shock and grief at the time.

The woman told me that I HAD TO FORGIVE Cathy for killing Brandon!  She went on to state in no uncertain terms that I could not get into heaven unless I did, and that if Cathy asked for forgiveness for her sin, she could go to heaven as well and be with Brandon!  It was just too damn much for me in the state of mind I was in at the time.  I looked her right in the eye and told her that if Cathy went to heaven, I would rather be in hell!  You should have seen the shocked look on her face.

Where DO these people get off telling grieving victim's families we HAVE TO FORGIVE anyone?  That is up to the individual when and if they forgive someone.  Not one of their business, no way, no how!  But to tell a grieving victim's family member they will go to hell unless they forgive, that takes a lot of chutzpah!

[beterave]

Hi, this pertains to the topic of forgiveness. In my personal opinion it goes a long way in dealing with grief. We can either hold on to that grief and never get past it, or forgive that person and move on. It is a personal decision. Myself, as difficult as it was, I cannot fully say I forgive her murderer(s), but I dealt with the grief by remembering my sister how she was in life, not death. Those memories allow me to cope with her loss. To say someone will never see Heaven unless they forgive a murderer, shows a lack of understanding of the Bible. The best advice I can pass on to GOB, deal with this loss in your own way and time. However, never let death stop you from living. Your grief is evident and it at times comes out in a rather venomous and vindictive form. But that is your grief speaking out; I myself can see around that. I wish to add YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If you allow it to, grief will turn to hate/unforgivness and it will and can consume you just like any cancer. It will rob you of joy and life if it goes unchecked. Forgive them. It is for your good and theirs. But mostly, for yours.  Beterave

[kryten67]

I hope this racist POS suffers.  He has been on death row way to long and I will forgive him after he's dead and gone...

[JT]

A message from death row (via an unlucky relative):


I would first like to Thank each and everyone of you for your support, prayers and love, especially you my special friend Gilles. I was to visit JoJo, so I thought was to be today only to be told that the prison was expecting me for my special visit tuesday Dec. 2. I spoke with the Warden (Bodison) who advised me they couldnt allow anymore visits because they (the prison) are in prepreations for tommorows execution, needless to say I cried helplessly. I asked the warden to give Joe a messeage telling him "I love him and I am thinking of him now and forever" well the warden asked for my number and within 15mins Joe was on the phone (thank you god). Joe's voice was so strong and uplifting, he says he has Jesus and he is at peace. He wants everyone to pray for his soul, his victims family to have peace and closeure and for his family (ours). Everyone he sounded soooo good, you would have thought he was moving overseas and not being murdered. I can't tell everyone how much of a relief and comfort this gave me to hear him, I felt so guilt ridden over the visiting mix up. I'm still scared and I'm still praying for a miracle, but at least I know he has found peace with Jesus. They were moving him this morning to the building were the execution will be performed tommorow, and he will try to call tommorow when they give him a cell phone. If anyone wants me to give Joe a personal message please feel free to PM me. Luv you all. Again, thank you for your support.

[JeffB]

Interesting post JT...  Currently, it's almost 4:00 pm here on the East coast, so - he's about 2 hours away... 

[submarine sailor]

I am a newly registered user to this website. I have been following it for some time though. JT, get real, did the girl he murdered and raped have peace with Jesus. He is getting exactly what he deserves!

[Russki]

interesting post ... what a surprise....we have found Jesus!

Hope he enjoys the cocktail!
Frenchy

[Lloyd]

I am a newly registered user to this website. I have been following it for some time though. JT, get real, did the girl he murdered and raped have peace with Jesus. He is getting exactly what he deserves!

Dude, I think you have misunderstood JT.  I am positive JT feels just as you do.

[Russki]

Hi submarine sailor

Welcome to the site. JT is very real and only posted that bit of BS which was out of DR. Irony......JT has very strong views on CP and he is no wilting lily, believe me!
Frenchy

[submarine sailor]

Thanks for the 411...No offense JT..

Submarine Sailor ETC(SS)/USN