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Inmate Says He's Too Fat To Die

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Posted: 5:46 PM Aug 5, 2008
Last Updated: 5:46 PM Aug 5, 2008

105 comments

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A death row inmate scheduled for execution says he's too fat to be put to death, claiming executioners would have trouble finding his veins and that his weight could diminish the effectiveness of one of the lethal injection drugs.

Death row inmate Richard Cooey says executioners would have trouble finding his veins to lethally inject him.

Lawyers for Richard Cooey argue in a federal lawsuit that Cooey -- 5- feet-7 and 267 pounds -- had poor veins when he faced execution five years ago and the problem has been worsened by weight gain.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court, also says prison officials have had difficulty drawing blood from Cooey for medical procedures.

Cooey, 41, is sentenced to die for raping and murdering two young women in 1986. His execution is scheduled for October 14.

His attorneys say a drug he is taking for migraine headaches could affect the execution process. The drug Topamax, a type of seizure medication, may have created a resistance to thiopental, the drug used to put inmates to sleep before two other lethal drugs are administered,
Dr. Mark Heath, a physician hired by the Ohio Public Defender's Office, said in documents filed with the court.

Heath says Cooey's weight, combined with the potential drug resistance, increases the risk he would not be properly anesthetized.

"All of the experts agree if the first drug doesn't work, the execution is going to be excruciating," Cooey's public defender, Kelly Culshaw Schneider, said Monday.

Prison system spokeswoman Andrea Carson and Jim Gravelle, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, both said Monday they hadn't seen the lawsuit and couldn't comment.

Last year, Carson cited the obesity of condemned inmate Christopher Newton as one of the reasons prison officials had difficulty accessing his veins before his execution. Newton was 6 feet tall and weighed
265 pounds.

Two years ago, convicted killer Jeffrey Lundgren was put to death after a federal appeals court rejected his claim that he was at greater risk of experiencing pain and suffering because he was overweight and diabetic.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Martha Location: pinetown on Aug 11, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I am a nurse, and trust me, I could find a vein....you can run but you can't hide.....or else, let him chose another method on the count of 10!!!!! Either way, if the women were one of my relatives, I would like to set up the IV!!!

Posted by: 2 skinny to live Location: NC on Aug 11, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Why are we worried about his anesthesian process? Do we think he was worried about those 2 women dieing of a horrible death?

Posted by: Len Location: Jacksonville on Aug 10, 2008 at 01:17 PM
So, let the man live in prison, he cant get out to do anything anyway. He who is without sin, pull the Switch....

Posted by: jerry Location: kinston on Aug 10, 2008 at 09:21 AM
I have a drill and a saw in my shop, between the two of them we can find a vein and I am serious, eed him water and crackers like the old times and see if he is still to fat

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 9, 2008 at 10:15 PM
what??? maybe they need to starve hime for a while and he won't bee so fat!! If we killed more of these criminals maybe our crime rates would go down. Evidently his victims weren't too fat to die!!!

Posted by: pj Location: nc on Aug 9, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I betcha me and alot of other people up here could find a vein or two.

Posted by: P Location: Fayetteville on Aug 9, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Put him in a Rotisserie and feed him to the sharks

Posted by: WHAT?? Location: ENC on Aug 9, 2008 at 11:13 AM
This would only happen here. Send him to Iran, Saudi Arabia. Lets see how they deal with him there.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 9, 2008 at 09:22 AM
So what are you going to do about this situation. eventually the law have to carriy out this sentence on him, so how is the law going to handle it.

Posted by: Keith Location: Greenville on Aug 9, 2008 at 07:48 AM
If the state can't get to his veins, they could electrocute him.

Posted by: Bill Location: Winterville, NC on Aug 9, 2008 at 12:29 AM
A thought. Should the public really care about his feelings and the lethal drugs? He doesn't say anything about how his victims felt as he assaulted them. Let him die the same way he murdered them! These convicted felons should die the same way as their victims!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Do unto others... maybe THATS what he wants??

Posted by: lucy Location: washington on Aug 8, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Are U serious? This man raped and murdered those two girls and hes cring about being "properly anesthetized". Give me a break!! You did the crime it's time to die dude give it up!!!!!! He didn't worry about the pain he caused those girls and their families why should he not suffer!!!! Just my opinion yours truly a faithful witn viewer!!

Posted by: unknown Location: Chocowinity on Aug 8, 2008 at 02:50 PM
well if the tax payers money would stop feeding him he wouldn't be too fat! i think they get feed better than most people out there busting their butts and trying make ends meet while half of our money goes to feed the ones sitting on their butts

Posted by: unknown Location: washington on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I am tired of our taxes going to feed these criminals. They sit back in jail with laptop computers, tvs, and books. I think They need to go without.....They have it better than some people that work everyday for a living. Just give him the electric chair already/...........

Posted by: tom Location: new nern on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:11 PM
don't do the crime if you can't do the time ( or in this case the punishment).

Posted by: Brown Location: Williamston on Aug 8, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Well I got a solution for that: cut back on his meals, he'd loose alot of weight!!

Posted by: Dee Location: WayCo on Aug 8, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Criminal Justice in East NC... this goes out to you. You say that "we should not seek to inflict misery" on this piece of crap!!! I have a degree in Criminal Justice and I was taught too about cruel and unusual punishment... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!! When you are the parents of a child, regardless of how old they are, telling that to them in an INSULT!!! If it were me, I wouldn't care if the slob every took another breath. He does not deserve to breathe the same air I do, let alone be convenienced with a "humane execution". What he did to these girls was cruel and unusual and inhumane. It seems that now-a-days, screaming liberals line our streets in protest of executions, war, etc. UNTIL they are personally effected by something like this. Then all of a sudden, they change sides. I'm an advocate of the "eye for an eye" type of justice. Criminals aren't scared of prison or the death penalty anymore b/c they know that they will have at least 20 more years to live! 20 yrs more than the victims.

Posted by: Mimi Location: Wilmington on Aug 8, 2008 at 11:49 AM
To Fat? Then feed him nothing but salad and water. Instead of letting him get FAT off law-abiding citizens money...and get on with what a jury has sentenced him to for the two murders that he choose to do. I doubt if he was concerned about his victims weights and/or medical problems. If getting put to sleep(basically) is not appropiate then use another method...perhaps the HOG industry has some ideas.

Posted by: Bad Girl Location: Greenville, NC on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:49 AM
It did not seem to concern him that his victims suffered an "excruciating" death. Why should the justice system concern itself with the level of pain involved in his death?

Posted by: Criminal Justice Location: East NC on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Justice does sometimes demand the life of a criminal, and in this man's case, that is appropriate. There is a time and place for governments to enact the death penalty. When this unfortunate reality presents itself, it behooves us to perform executions quickly and without cruelty. The horror of particular crimes does not justify stooping to the level of the criminal's act. The same principle applies to incarceration, whether the death penalty follows or not. Depriving criminals of their liberty is justified; cruelty and torture is not. While there is no need to provide inmates with extravangances and amenities, we should not seek to inflict misery. The idea of imprisonment is to take away the freedom a citizen surrenders by committing a crime. You folks who want to make prisoners suffer through torture and deprivation of basic needs aren't much better than the criminals themselves. I vote for reasonable incarceration, short stays on death row, and quick, humane executions.

Posted by: Thin blue line Location: Pitt county on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:42 AM
See thats the problem with the system, this fat guy can sit in prison and get fat while we pinch our pennies for food!!! We have to budget ourselves and support this guy with our tax dollars. I bet you his weight wasn't a problem when he killed those innocent victims!!!

POST EDITED

Posted by: Mike Location: Edenton on Aug 8, 2008 at 06:14 AM
This guy has been breathing for over 20 years longer than his victims. Can't find his veins? Give us a break! In that case.... hang him! With all that weight his neck should snap real easy!

Posted by: joek Location: new bern on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:34 AM
i guess now there will be inmates all over the state suing the department of correction because their food is too fattening. This is a crock of you know what.

Posted by: John Location: La Grange on Aug 8, 2008 at 01:56 AM
I have a great idea. Send him overseas and let him walk the roads in front of our servicemen and equipment. He could lose some weight and get blown up instead of them.

Posted by: shelly Location: jacksonville on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:27 PM
i work in the medical field and there are plenty of devices to find the veins.its done everyday.give me a break.those two teenagers didn't have a choice.they suffered...........

Posted by: me Location: nc on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:20 PM
another thing. why in the world is it takin so long for inmates who are on death row to die. please - 20 years later AFTER what he did. Personally if they did it and there is NO proof they didn't do it - then death should be set for the next week.. spend our tax dollars on stuff that matters - like decent health care for our children and seniors!!

Posted by: me Location: nc on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:16 PM
so what if he is fat. if he is too fat to inject.. let him be left in a room with the family members of the women he killed. I am sure they can take care of him without drugs involved!!

Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:45 PM
It's all BS. I will tell you one thing. He is not to fat to be SHOT to death by a FIRING SQUAD. I do not think law enforcement would have any problem finding volunteers to get rid of this low life.

Posted by: Todd Location: 7 springs on Aug 7, 2008 at 09:30 PM
probably water weight.. so no fluids AT ALL for 10 days prior to the injection should solve the weight problem

Posted by: This is crazy Location: Washington on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Our tax money has been feeding this guy three good meals a day for over 20 years. I guess we are the blame he has gotten fat!! He showed no mercy to the women he raped and murdered. I say he needs to suffer some as they did. A crime has been done and the execution should go on as scheduled-enough money has been wasted. If this guy gets by with this ridiculous "excuse" what will be next? This nauseates me to even think about it. He needs to know some pain, maybe it will send a message to others. This is sick!!!

Posted by: unknown Location: greenville on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:29 PM
I don't fully agree with the death penalty but there are times that it is an appropriate punishment to fit the crime. They should be able to find a wall big enough to accomidate his weight and several people willing to use him for target practice. At least he would have more of a fighting chance then the women he killed who I bet would love to be complaining they were getting fat now.

Posted by: Andi Location: Outer Banks on Aug 7, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I don't think the fat slob should have been receiving meds for his migraines, let alone enough food to get FAT. He should be on a minimal diet and out digging ditches to pay his debt to society.

Posted by: You're kidding Location: Greenville on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:47 PM
This is actually true? You are kidding me!! A deal is a deal - he did the crimes...he should be toast! Too fat??? To be put to death? Incredible!! That is the worst I've ever heard!! He did the crimes, he needs to pay. Did he start getting fat when he was put in prison? Sick! Sick! Sick!! Maybe they should make him run laps....he might be too fat for that. I am and it would be hard for me! Crazy!! Only in the good ole US would we find reason not to give just punishment!!

Posted by: Melissa Location: Greenville on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:14 PM
And the rape and murder of two young women wasn't excruciating? Why should this rapist/murderer receive anything less than a horrific death full of pain and misery? And who would EVER represent such a ridiculous and disgusting man on such a bogus, unjust claim? Wow, this really makes me sick.

Posted by: michelle Location: nc on Aug 7, 2008 at 12:57 PM
He wasn't too fat to commit the crimes was he? Everything should go on as scheduled. I don't care if the pain is awful. What does he think the pain was like for the 2 innocent women he murdered? There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Posted by: THERESA Location: BERTIE COUNTY on Aug 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Solution for finding veins - a venoscope. non painful way to locate and mark the best vein possible for drawing blood or inserting IV

Posted by: unknown Location: unknown on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:38 AM
He did the crime, he needs to pay. I think they need to inject him as many times as it takes to kill him. He should have thought about the consequences before he did the crime.

POST EDITED

Posted by: Mrs. B Location: Greenville on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:09 AM
And just when I thought I had heard it all. Our judicial system is a joke. This person raped and murdered 2 women, and now he wants a stay of execution because of his migraine meds and weight? God forbid he might feel a little discomfort while being executed. If he is pardoned, what message will this send to other criminals? Put him on a diet, take him off his migraine meds and go through with the execution.

Posted by: Lisa Location: beach on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:34 AM
simple-stop the Topamax-it's expensive anyway, and put his butt on a diet until death day. Then we can all dance around and sing loudly while they look for his veins and maybe he'll get a migraine and beg to die. His lawyer should be ashamed to even be bringing such a worthless case to the table. There are many good venipuncturists who would gladly assist the prison to find a vein on this sociopath, possibly with a barbed needle. His case has no merit and should not even be considered. Use the eye for an eye punishment and kill him the way he killed his victims, or worse. Prisoners have way too many rights and privileges.

Posted by: Sharon Location: Plymouth on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:23 AM
How did he get enough food in prison to gain that much weight? They should get bread and water, no heat, no a/c, no windows, no tv, no cigarettes, no basketball, no weights, etc. He raped and murdered 2 innocent people, who cares if his medications affect the lethal injection?

POST EDITED

Posted by: Just a thought on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Maybe we should send some of our inmates like this to a Russian or Chinese prison.. I bet they would be begging for the lethal injection.

Posted by: nurse Location: nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:49 PM
I bet if he's sick he'll let someone find a vein to give him meds. Hey, I'll come put a picc line in him, no problem! Poor baby, you can even tell him that it's tip will be near his heart, so less time it will take for the drugs to work on him.

Posted by: Ashley Location: washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:53 PM
"Anonymous"..why would u wish death on a trooper or anyone eles for that matter...stop being stupid and look at what your saying...this man raped and killed women for no reason and now its time for him to die and he is coming up with an excuse not to die......you not very smart..

Slight edit

Posted by: dean Location: washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Do you think dr. Josef Mengele cared if his inmates were too fat? not at all! This is just propaganda from the compasinate left. I SAY TAKE HIM TO THE GALLOWS! Why are we not using them anymore? The American judicial system is too kind hearted, we need to be harder, public execution will send a message I asure you!

Posted by: whomever Location: nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I am sure the two girls who were raped and murdered were not "properly anesthetized" and their "execution was excrutiating" This sickens me...

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:29 PM
this blog is unfair to the sentenced man you post all of these negative comments about this person ,but if i posted a comment like on the trooper being shot in the face and said something like i wish would of got killed for you wont post a comment like that.

Posted by: ???? on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:39 PM
If they would have went ahead and put him to death in 1986 his weight wouldn't have been an issue and we could have saved some of our tax money on this worthless piece. Why is the justice system like this? Geez it's ridiculous!

Posted by: Mr. Bob on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:54 PM
This lard bucket has cost the taxpayers about $660,000 for his room and board over the last 22 years. Hurry up and get it over with.

Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane, NC on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:38 PM
"bless his heart".

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 05:46 PM
What has this world come too. That is the least he should have done to him. Shall I got there, with what I need to say I would be put in JAIL!! It is not even a story that should break news. Him being over weight is no reason for him not to be punished. I work in the hospital and I think it is called UP THE DOSAGE!!! I will pray to God that this mans makes it through all the through UNTIL HE IS DEAD!!!

Posted by: Helen Location: Selma on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Poor Baby. Maybe we should trim the fat first.

Posted by: Kat Location: Washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:20 PM
There is a procedure called a cut-down. Docs use it all the time on obese or heavily muscled patients. It exposes the vein so there will not be a problem getting the drugs in his arm. What has become of this world, feeding him when so many elderly can only afford food or medicine but not both in adequate supply.

POST EDITED

Posted by: Retired LEO Location: Belhaven on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:16 PM
WOW! This is the first comments section I've seen that every single person is in agreement. Cool!

Posted by: Veronica Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:10 PM
I guess he should have thought about that when he raped and killed 2 women. He has lived 22 years too long in prison. Let's get on with it! And if he is so worried about the lethal injection not going smoothly, I'm sure members of the community would be more than happy to get the job done in other ways!!

Posted by: Concerned Location: kitty hawk on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I think the death penalty should be mandatory for any offender for a sexual crime and if lethal injection is out then the electric chair is still availible

Posted by: Mary Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Airborne Ranger,I agree 100% with everything you said.

Posted by: MW Location: RM on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:39 PM
You know I agree with him. If he indeed does a have a overweight body and his veins are to hard to find- than don't inject him. Instead lets offer him the same death his two victims suffered. --Something tells me he will quickly change his mind after that consideration.

Posted by: Jesse Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I definitely think the "you're violating my civil rights" card gets played way too much in prisons. I don't think that we should blame the people playing the card necessarily. I think we should blame the "educated" people: judges, lawyers, gov't officials, that uphold such card playing. Those people are supposed to be the educated ones when in fact, people have been and will keep playing them like fools until something gives. This guy says they won't be able to find a vein b/c of his weight? So, if an obese person comes in an Oncology department w/ cancer, do doctors tell him they can't give him chemotherapy b/c they're too fat and they wouldn't be able to find a vein? No, only simple minded idiots would have that approach to thinking.

Posted by: Jesse Location: Greenville, NC on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:47 PM
There are other easier ways to make sure he gets that drug that will stop his heart. He needs to take the skirt off and be a man about following through w/ his sentence. After all, he was man enough to do two very bad crimes.

Posted by: Mark Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I am a tax paying citizen and this man apparently has more rights than I. Certainly he has more rights than his victims. I have to provide medical insurance for my family and pay for our medications. Oh, that's right, we pay for this man's medical care, medications, and the food he consumes to maintain his obesity. Headaches stop once your dead. This is a medical fact.

Posted by: Benny Location: Lucama on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I don't care if it hurts him, or if they have to try different drugs and practice on him. He was not concerned about the women he raped and killed. Put him in the electric chair

POST EDITED

Posted by: Dee Location: WayCo on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:10 PM
First off, this guy has been in prison too dang long... 1986!!! 22 years and he still is living. Those girls he raped and killed haven't had the last 22 years. Why should he be given any more time... he's been alive for too long for my liking. Had I been those girls parents, he'd would have NEVER seen the light of day once I knew it was him who violated and killed my little girl. He's obviously used his timely wisely in prison, eatin ghis way to a stay of execution. Stick the needle in his jugular nad get it over with!

Posted by: No Pity Location: Williamston, NC on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Simple solution...put him on a strict diet. I know that's not possible because it would violate his "civil rights". It's a shame once a criminal is convicted of such horrendous crimes that they have rights protecting them and "loop hole attorneys" are allowed to make a mockery of the justice system. My prayers and thoughts are with the victims' families. It's a shame they have lost of love ones, withstood the trials, and now he's too fat to receive the sentence the judge gave him.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Who cares about his weight? If he is scheduled for execution, then they should go on with it. He's overweight anyway, so executing him will put an end to that. But did he stop and think about those poor girls before he raped and murdered them? Probably not. He did this and now he should have to pay.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Take this man off of Topamax, i take the drug and it reduces migraine pain, let him feel real pain from migraines put him on bread and water diet and wait for oct. 14. he didnt mind the pain he was putting the two girls in in the 80's, why should we have to wait oct 14?

Posted by: genie on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:38 AM
sounds to me like he might have gained weight on purpose so he could try and use it to his advantage when this day comes...maybe a little coaching from his lawyer who would probably know things like that. How many overweight people do you see in jail. All these guys have to do there is read, and exercise. Sounds kinda planned to me.

Posted by: mj Location: windsor on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:35 AM
did he have any pity for those girls he raped and murdered, well I say have no pity for him. let him pay the price, those girls i am sure suffered.

Posted by: k Location: eastern nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I like the bread and water idea. He'll drop that weight so fast, they won't have to wait for the Oct 14 deadline. His veins will be a lot easier to find long before then. He complains about being too fat and doesn't want to feel the pain of dying. Why not a slow death equal to or longer than what he gave those girls? The pain and suffering he caused will not be forgotten by those families. I would think that his suffering would be justice for them.

Posted by: me Location: washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:21 AM
There are so many people that are hungry, even with government assistance thru food stamps, tht this inmate should be put on a restricted diet. Obviously, we've spent way too much money feeding him already.

Posted by: Grady Location: Plymouth on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:54 AM
The weight issue did not stop him from murdering. Its just a ploy to put off the sentence. Put him to death the same way he murdered someone. Now that justice!

Posted by: Airborne Ranger Location: Winterville on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Pain and suffering that he might experience. Who gives a crap about your pain and suffering. You didn't think about the pain and suffering of the two women you raped and murdered or their families. He's been hanging on for 22 years at the expense of the taxpayers. Folks, that is 21 years 11 months too long. If he's worried about his weight put him on bread and water until Oct 14. That ought to drop a few pounds off of his fat @*%^.

Posted by: as Location: greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:33 AM
were his two rape victims anesthetized?

Posted by: sally Location: nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
If they are so concerned about his viens there are other methods of execution....the gas chamber, electric chair, hangman's noose and firing squad....and none require the use of a needle. Weight is no reason for a stay of execution.

Posted by: Donna Location: Kitty Hawk,NC on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Oh my, what a shame that his execution would be excruciating.Did he think of the pain in which he was afflicting upon these two women as he raped and murdered them. I think not, so why should we tip-toe around how he's going to feel. I think it's just a ploy to hault and/or slow down his inevitable death.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Why do we always take the feelings of the quilty person over the people they have taken their life away. Were they asked how they wanted to die?How about their family who has had to wait all this time and now you want to talk about his rights and feelings. Get real. He has no rights .He should suffer.

POST EDITED

Posted by: Jance Oakley Location: Kinston on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Did he think of the pain and suffering of the two women he raped and murdered. put him down and move on, stop wasting tax payers money keeping him alive.

Posted by: S Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Perhaps they need to have someone kill him the way he murdered those girls. An eye for an eye... I agree with public executions just as long as they don't in prision for years on end.

Posted by: Tammy Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Looks like theyre feeding the inmates a little too well...

Posted by: mitchell on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Let's just give it a try anyway or hanging or a firing squad would do just fine.

Posted by: Tracy Location: NB on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:07 AM
There are people who work that don't eat as good as what this guy obviously does. Our tax money is feeding this guy.

POST EDITED

Posted by: Chris Location: Vanceboro on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:45 AM
The real issue here is he was convicted in 1986 and still on death row. I bet he wasn't 270 pounds when he first got on death row!!!!!!!

Posted by: madmamma Location: greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Who cares if Cooey experiences pain during the execution? Did he care if the women he raped and murdered experienced pain? If he is rejecting lethal injection, I say electrocute him! See how much pain he faces then.

Posted by: T Location: Washington on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:10 AM
What? You have got to be kidding me. My friend said they treat the inmates better than the guards. According to this he is right. He wasn't worried about his weight when he raped a woman and the murdered two more. How long does these families have to suffer.

Posted by: Barbara Location: Beulaville Nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Give me a break. Who cares if he suffers? Did he care about the woman he raped and murdered? I can't believe there is even a question about if he suffers or not. Where is our concern for the two women raped and murdered? You people make me sick.

Posted by: MZ.OBAMA Location: USA-GREENVILLE on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Is this someone that a gun can't kill!!! I agree with all of the other comments, STOP TREATING HIM SO WELL IN PRISON!!!! Cut off the steaks and other excellent foods and he will lose weight. Heck, inject it by IV...that'll do the job!!!

Posted by: Rtmus Location: Choco on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:26 AM
bring back the guillotine in the courthouse square. Public executions would break up some of this stuff. I will sharpen the blade at no charge.

Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Lethal injection? Just inject an air bubble into him, and watch the fun. If we execute people they need to feel as much pain as they inflicted, even go as far as killing them in the manner they killed the person they killed.

Posted by: Bikerwolf Location: Eastern Nc on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Step 1 . Salads from now until Oct 14th and he should drop 20-30 lbs. Step 2 . Take off medications immediatly Step 3 . Oct 14th .... Goodbye

Posted by: Jeffrey Location: Greenville on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:54 AM
I agree it would be to painful. Instead we should just shoot him in the head. Is this a joke. We are worried about him being to fat to be executed? He killed two woman 21 years ago and is still alive. I think this is the saddest part. Not only did he kill two woman but is taking our tax money to feed him to the point where he is obease.

Posted by: Obama 08 4 Prez! on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:44 AM
I wonder while he was raping and murdering these two innocent women was he thinking about his poor veins? I highly doubt it. Oh they can find a vein, and take him off of topamax. Now he wants to be a cry-baby. I always thought lethal injections was the cowardly way out anyway. They should feel pain, not drift off to sleep. He knows exactly what he is doing by steadily gaining weight, I need to be the doctor and Judge. And ole fat boy would fry!

Posted by: Steve Location: Kinston on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:52 PM
This duck has been waddling around for 20 years after being sentenced to die for his crimes? I will see if I can find Moe, Larry and Curly to give him anesthesia.

Posted by: ME again Location: NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:40 PM
What in the world are they feeding him? How about bread and water like the old days. It is funny how HARD working people can't make a living, when criminals have it all good. I mean heaven forbid they take away their AC, TV, Computers, Weights, and Education. I mean they can go in to jail and get a 4 year degree FREE! And we wonder what is wrong with America.

Posted by: S Location: Washington,NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Wonderful!! Let him feel a fraction of the pain that he gave his victims,too bad they can't electrocute the piece of slime...he's too fat because our bleeding heart lawmakers give him too many meals...And we should care about how he feels....please!!!

Posted by: ME Location: NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:36 PM
He Obviously has not seen a Paramedic work before.

Posted by: James Location: Washington on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Don't feed him anything for about 6 months and then his veins should be easy to find.

Posted by: P Location: Fayetteville on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:43 PM
This is on about the same level as the guy who stole from wake county schools and wants a judge to make a deal to extend his jail time 30 days and he wont have to pay a $500,000 fine. He has $900,000 in assets. Criminals wanting us to have imphatey. Give us a break make the one guy pay back his fines and make the other guy pay for the murders.

Posted by: P Location: Fayetteville on Aug 5, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Answer to his question, whats that got to do with the price of eggs in China. I weigh the same as he does and they dont have problems finding my veins. Stick it too him !

Posted by: LD Location: NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 09:33 PM
The execution could be excruciating for Cooey if the lethal injection doesn't work what about the 2 women that were raped and killed..This man lost his rights back in 1986..How much money is that, that the taxpayers have paid since then..

Posted by: Devil Dog Location: New Bern on Aug 5, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Looks like the prisoners are getting great meals from us taxpayers. You may not br able find his veins, but his neck would do just fine.

Posted by: Tim Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 08:40 PM
I'm sure there is a gang around that won't mind killing him or send him oversea there are countries over there that wouldn't think twice about it.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I agree with you Ashley. My comments were mainly meant to be sarcastic. Put him to good use .. medical experiments until dies. I seriously think that for those that complain about lethal injection ... ofter them 2 alternatives the electric chair or public hanging. Matter of fact make it random so if you dont want lethal injectin then we will roll the dice and decide for you. Bet no one complains about lethal injection then.

Posted by: Ashley Location: Washington on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:53 PM
You have got to be kidding me. Are you people that stupid. Im mean seriously..this man raped and killed two women for no reason, hurt them in a way that could never be forgotten and then took there life from them and there family's and your going to sit there and say that he is to fat to die because he would feel the pain. SO WHAT let him feel it, maybe someone needs to take him out back and rape him and kill him the save way he killed them women he wouldnt be to fat for that.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Better yet give him that new exercise drug. Make him the first human test subject.

Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane, NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:36 PM
He's large enough to make a good target so why not a firing squad (he needs to feel some pain) or public stoning.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:34 PM
vBush- Right on!!!!! If he's been on death row it looks like they have been to good to him. Why is he so fat????? I'm sure he didn't try to make his victim's death's less painful.

Posted by: Tim Location: La Grange on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Say what? Are you kidding? Hey, VBush, not a bad idea!

Posted by: Jess Location: everywhere on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Well my opinion is he should die for what he has done. He they cant do it with injection, hang his butt. I have no tears for someone that kills another person. Im tired of paying taxes for prisoners to hang out and get 3 meals a day and Im paying for it(taxes)!!!!!

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Put him on bread and water for the next two months and they won't have any problem finding his veins on Oct. 14th.

Posted by: Debbie Location: Jacksonville on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Was consideration given to his victims while he was raping and murdering them? He had no mercy for them. Maybe he should be executed in the same way he murdered those women.

Posted by: just wondering Location: washington on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:19 PM
do you think he cared when he committed his crimes? did he have mercy or show compassion for his victims?? i think not. give me a break!!!!

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Okay ....then maybe they should use the electric chair as the alternative to those that have objections to lethal injection. Better yet give them 2 other options to lethal injection. The electric chair or Public hanging. Its amazing that he wants us to feel sorry for him and have compassion now when he had none when he killed those 2 girls.

Posted by: tom Location: greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:16 PM
well put him in the chair and run electricity thru them fat veins. He deserves to die in pain. He is less that human. Woman raper

Posted by: ordnanceman Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:13 PM
These people commit grizzly murders and we care if they feel pain when we execute them?! You have got to be kidding me. I wonder if the families of the two girls he killed and raped care if he feels pain when he is being put down?!

Posted by: Retired Campus LEO Location: Belhaven on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:10 PM
This is a joke, right? His migraine medication might effect his lethal injection? Please give me a break.

Posted by: Matt Location: NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:08 PM
What a joke. Really? Have we no common sense? Knowing what he did, it doesn't reallly bother me if he does suffer. There are two families who will always suffer. This political correctness crap has got to stop.

Posted by: Fran Location: Greenville on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Interesting that he should be concerned about his own suffering when he certainly had no regard for the terror and suffering of the two victims. It really leads me to question the validity of our Justice system.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Aug 5, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I am quite sure he wasn't worried about the comfort of his victims while he was raping and killing them. Use a longer needle, better yet USE GAS! Why has it taken 22 years to get to this point? Obviously prisoners are being fed too well. Why is he fat?

Posted by: Amanda Location: Winterville on Aug 5, 2008 at 05:53 PM
The weight should not matter. He wasn't thinking of that we he murdered two women. He did not care why should we.

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