USA: OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBER TIMOTHY McVEIGH SENTENCED TO DEATH

(14 Jun 1997) English/Nat A jury condemned Timothy McVeigh to death on Friday for the Oklahoma City bombing in which 168 people died. The jury deliberated for more than 11 hours over two days before deciding unanimously that the 29-year-old should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history. But it is not known when - or even if - the decorated Gulf War veteran will be executed, as appeals could take three years or more. Timothy McVeigh's family walk into court to hear his fate. His mother, father and sister were followed by prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler. Inside the court, the jury condemned McVeigh to death for the Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people. The jury decided unanimously that the 29-year-old decorated Gulf War veteran should die by injection for the worst act of terrorism in U-S history. Outside the court, relatives of victims hugged each other. After the sentence was announced, McVeigh's defence attorney - Stephen Jones - asked Americans to respect the jury's decision. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Our joint statement on behalf of all of us who have had the privilege of representing Mr. McVeigh reads as follows. The jury has spoken and their verdict is entitled to respect and all Americans should accord it that respect until such time, if ever, it is overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction. We ask that the barriers and intolerance which have divided us may crumble and that suspicions disappear and that hatreds cease and that our divisions and intolerance being healed, we may live together in justice and in peace. God save the United States of America. God save this honourable court." SUPER CAPTION: Stephen Jones, Timothy McVeigh's Defence Attorney Prosecution attorney Joseph Hartzler said he hoped the verdict would mean such a crime would never happen again. SOUNDBITE: (English) "This is not a day of great joy for the prosecution team. We're pleased that the system worked and that justice prevailed, but the verdict doesn't diminish the great sadness that occurred in Oklahoma City two years ago. Our only hope is that the verdict will go some way to preventing such terrible drastic crime from ever occurring again. Thank you." SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Hartzler, Prosecution Attorney The Oklahoma City attorney said the sentencing was not a time for joy. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I would say to the people of America that this is not really a time for exhilaration. Personally, I'm going to reflect on the loss of lives and broken dreams of the people of Oklahoma." SUPER CAPTION: Oklahoma City attorney In Washington, U-S President Clinton thanked jurors for what he called their "grave decisions" in McVeigh's trial, but avoided comment on the decision to condemn him to death. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...