Graczyk - Texas Reporter Witnesses Hundreds of Executions

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Graczyk - Texas Reporter Witnesses Hundreds of Executions
Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:45PM
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Texas Reporter Witnesses Hundreds of Executions

Dawn Tongish, The 33 News
January 13, 2009

A Fort Worth killer is set to become the 424th inmate to be put to
death in Texas. When he dies, Mike Graczyk will be there, just inches
away.

It is the job of the Associated Press reporter to cover capital
punishment in Texas, and that translates into busy days on death row.
Graczyk estimates that he has witnessed more than 300 executions in
his 26 years covering lethal injection in the state.
Graczyk may have witnessed more executions than anyone in the
country because Texas sets the pace when it comes to lethal
injection. "It's just part of my job. It just comes with the
territory", says the reporter.
Graczyk says many of the executions have stuck with him through the
years for various reasons. "I remember Gary Graham's execution with
all the tension," he says. Graham's execution during President George
Bush's first run for office brought out hordes of demonstrators.
Graczyk also recalls the first execution he witnessed in 1983.
http://www.the33tv.com/pages/content_landing_page/?-Texas-Reporter-Witnesses-Hundreds-of-Ex=1&blockID=184690&feedID=460