By David Lohr

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Earlier this afternoon, relatives of Rolling's victims began filing into the Florida State Prison to witness Rolling's execution.  Crowds outside the prison were said to make up the largest turnout since the 1989 execution of Ted Bundy.  In an interview with The Gainesville Sun, Tracy Paules' sister Laurie Lahey said she was going to witness Rolling's execution.

"I'm not looking forward to it. I have to do it for my sister.  It's the last thing I can do for her," Lahey said.  "Justice will be served... the annoyance of him will be gone too."

As the victims' family members gathered inside the prison, Rolling visited with the warden, his brother and his spiritual advisor.  Following his visits, Rolling was served his final meal.  According to Department of Corrections spokesperson Robby Cunningham, Rolling had requested butterfly shrimp, a baked potato, strawberry cheesecake and sweat tea.  After eating his meal, Rolling was taken to a cell next to the death chamber.

At approximately 6:00pm this evening, Rolling was escorted into the execution chamber, where he was strapped down and readied for his execution.  When asked if he had any final words, Rolling said, "Yes I do" and began singing:

"He who flung the stars into the heavens above, created the oceans, the mountains, the eagles and doves.  None greater than thee O'Lord.  None greater than thee O'Lord."

Rolling was then injected with a cocktail of drugs.  The first injection was a dose of sodium thiopental to induce unconsciousness.  Then, pancuronium bromide was injected to stop all muscle movement and finally potassium chloride was given to him to stop his heart.

Danny Harold Rolling was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m.  According to prison officials, Rollings body will be transported to the Medical Examiner's Office in Gainesville and then to Archer Funeral Home in Lake Butler.  Danny Harold Rolling was the 63rd inmate put to death in Florida since they resumed executions in 1979.

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Contact  David Lohr at           pa_crime_writer@velocity.net

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