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| Iraq |
| When It's Hanging Time For Ol' Saddam |
| 2006-07-29 |
| STATE of DELAWARE FRED A. LEUCHTER ASSOCIATES, INC. EXECUTION BY HANGING OPERATION and INSTRUCTION MANUAL Department of Correction State of Delaware Delaware Correctional Center Smyrna, Delaware 19977-1597 May 1, 1990 Weight in Pounds...Distance Dropped 120 or less........8' 1" 125................7'10" 130................7' 7" 135................7' 4" 140................7' 1" 145................6' 9" 150................6' 7" 155................6' 6" 160................6' 4" 165................6' 2" 170................6' 0" 175................5'11" 180................5' 9" 185................5' 7" 190................5' 6" 195................5' 5" 200................5' 4" 205................5' 2" 210................5' 1" 220 and over.......5' 0" EQUIPMENT The following items are required for a competent hanging. 1. A Gallows should be utilized having the following basic characteristics. A. A floor height of at least nine (9) feet to allow for a minimum clearance of about one (1) foot on the drop. B. A crossbeam height of nine (9) feet giving an approximate clearance of three (3) feet above the executee. C. An opening and trap door of at least three (3) feet square to allow proper clearance for the executee. D. Means of releasing the trap door. This is normally accomplished by utilizing two bolts under one side of the door which are actuated by a common mechanism, either linkage rods or cable. E. Means for stopping the trap door swing after it has fallen. This is normally accomplished utilizing a mechanical metal spring catch or a counterweight and a "rope grabber". F. An eyelet or fastening mechanism for the rope containing the Hangman's Noose. 2. Body Restraint. This is a waist strap containing two (2) wrist restraints. It is fabricated from 3000 lb. test nylon aircraft webbing two (2) inches wide and is fifty (50) inches long. It contains three (3) quick release fasteners (one [1] for the waist and one [1] for each wrist) all of which are adjustable from each side. The color is black with chrome fasteners. 3. Leg Restraint. This is an ankle strap which binds both ankles together. It is fabricated from 3000 lb. test nylon aircraft webbing two (2) inches wide and is thirty-six (36) inches long. It contains one (1) quick release fastener which is adjustable from both sides. The color is black with chrome fasteners. 4. Collapse Frame. This is a six by thirty (6 X 30) inch frame fabricated of square steel tubing. It contains three (3) body restraints measuring fifty (50) inches long by two (2) inches wide which are made from 3000 lb. test nylon aircraft webbing and contain three (3) quick release fasteners adjustable from both sides. (One [1] for each restraint.) The color of the frame and webbing is black and the fasteners are chrome. This is used in the event of a physical collapse by the executee and enables the personnel conducting the execution to transport him to the scaffold. 5. Hood. The hood is fabricated of black denim and has split sides enabling it to extend onto the chest and back. It is generally used, optionally, to cover the face of the executee. A similar hood is available for the executioner but has a hole for the eyes. 6. Mechanical Hangman's Knot. This is fabricated from a delrin cylinder and has two (2) longitudinal holes and a steel U-clamp to fasten the rope. It comes with a black denim cover which is fastened with velcro. It is a replacement for the Conventional Hangman's Knot to eliminate the problems in tying the knot. It, unlike the Conventional Hangman's Knot, never binds in operation. 7. Noose Sleeve. This is fabricated of denim and fastened with velcro. It is utilized to prevent tissue damage at the neck. 8. Rope. Standard hangman's rope of three-quarter (3/4) inch Manila hemp is available in thirty (30) foot lengths. This rope has been boiled and stretched in drying to eliminate all spring, stiffness or tendency to coil. The rope is also available in six-hundred (600) foot coils but cannot be treated when supplied thus. 9. Knot Lubricant. Knot lubricant must be used whether utilizing the Mechanical or Conventional Hangman's knot. With the Mechanical Hangman's Knot, silicone spray is recommended. With the Conventional Hangman's Knot, melted paraffin is recommended. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #3 Well of course you lubricate the knot. You don't want slivers of hemp in your Oops - wrong thread. My bad. |
| Posted by: GORT 2006-07-29 22:05 |
| #2 No kidding, #1 Steve. "7. Noose Sleeve. ... It is utilized to prevent tissue damage at the neck." 'Cuz we sure wouldn't want the hanging to leave the corpse with a damaged neck. "9. Knot Lubricant." You have to lubricate the knot? They never did this in old Westerns. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-07-29 22:01 |
| #1 The things you learn at Rantburg University. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2006-07-29 21:01 |