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Morning NewsClock Ticking for Betty Lou Beets on Texas' Death RowAired February 24, 2000 - 10:00 a.m. ETTHIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The clock is ticking on Texas' death row. In less than nine hours time, Betty Lou Beets scheduled to die by lethal injection. CNN's Charles Zewe has a look now at the woman who's been dubbed "the black widow." (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MARY LOU BEETS, DEATH ROW INMATE: And he dragged me by my feet. CHARLES ZEWE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Betty Lou Beets was sentenced to die for the 1983 murder of her fifth husband, Jimmy Don Beets, a Dallas firefighter killed, the prosecutors argued, for his life insurance and pension money. She was also accused, but not tried, for killing her fourth husband in 1981. The bodies of both men were found buried in the yard of Beets' mobile home, both shot in the head. Beets says she doesn't know how her husband was killed. BEETS: I wouldn't willingly do that, but I don't remember what happened then. I just don't remember what all happened then. It's just a blank to me. ZEWE: The 62-year-old great grandmother asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles for clemency, contending she had been abused by all five of her husbands. BEETS: It's humiliating to have no defense. ZEWE: On Tuesday, the parole board denied her clemency request. Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush can grant Beets a one-time 30-day reprieve. During Governor Bush's tenure, there have been 120 executions in Texas, and he has never gone against the advice of his parole board, which he appoints. FAYE LANE, BETTY LOU BEETS' DAUGHTER: I'm not saying that my mother should go free but to be allowed to live throughout her remaining years in prison. ZEWE: Only one other woman has been executed in Texas since the Civil War. In 1988, repentant pick-axe murderer Karla Faye Tucker received world-wide media attention when she was put to death. This time, death penalty opponents say Bush's decision on whether to delay Beets' execution will help define what he calls "compassionate conservatism." Governor Bush says what's at stake his upholding the law of the land. (END VIDEOTAPE) ZEWE: At this hour, Beets is being held in a unit not far from the Walls unit where we're located, where the death house is located. She will be brought here in early afternoon, the execution set for 6:00 p.m. Central time tonight. Her Lawyer describes her as scared, as frightened of what is about to happen to her. The prison says that she is calm and subdued -- Bill. HEMMER: Charles, as governor, what options does George W. Bush have in front of him on this case at this time prior to 6:00 p.m. later tonight your time? ZEWE: Bill, he has only one. He can grant a one-time 30-day reprieve if he believes that there are some unanswered questions here, if there has been some problem with the case. Of course, Beets' lawyers contend that the whole issue of spousal abuse was never considered as a mitigating factor by the jury in the case; factor wasn't even introduced. And it is that, upon that basis, that they're taking their appeal today to the U.S. Supreme court. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, however, this execution will go ahead and Bush's spokesperson is saying that he will consider the case later in the day today after returning from the campaign trail in California. But in the past, he has yet to overrule or stop any execution here. HEMMER: Charles Zewe, thanks -- live in Huntsville. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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