American ethos is one of violence and vengeance. It's built into our laws, our media, our culture.

I have to agree with the other commenter regarding vengeance being very big part of American society. I think part of it is likely also the severity of pain her daughter likely suffered during the attack. If this was the result of an accident or potentially a more immediate death for her daughter, I'm not sure the desire would be as strong. In the article she mentions as much, but I truly cannot imagine how it must feel to know that your child was essentially tortured to death. Regardless of how long it lasted, she likely died in pain and in terror. I can imagine that her mother thinks the perpetrator should not be granted a potentially peaceful natural death. I'm not saying it's right, but I think it's relevant to note that it wasn't just a matter of immediate death.

My wife was just explaining that the body of her child is being held for evidence. Theoretically, the case would be closed after the execution and the body could be returned and buried.

I'm no expert on the case, but I could imagine the frustration of waiting for that for 30 years, only to have it yanked away minutes before.

All I'm saying is it might be bloodthirst, but it also may be just general frustration at the long, drawn-out process.

How can this possibly be a positive benefit in her elderly years?

I'm not a parent, but I've seen something in parents that lose a child (that grew up enough to have a personality and experiences). They are forever injured. Its something they never heal from. The hurt never goes away from the loss. I can only imagine the child being murdered would amplify this.

I am not a parent, which means I've never been in a position to lose a child to murder, but your question does come across with, I believe, an unintended arrogance, to tell an elderly parent that it "[isn't] a positive benefit" to be focusing on the murderer of her child.

So what, mom should just get over the fact that her kid was tortured and beat to death? Easy for you to say.

Don't judge what losing a child in a horrific way feels like. This is the sort of thing you only know with experience. Whatever she feels will give her closure.

There are two reasons. First, people suck. Most would rather not make a decision until they have to. Second, I'm sure there has been pressure to get the death sentence commuted for years, if not decades. Part of that is because the process is slow and part is because political elements often try to make the decision with the most political benefit. The added publicity with this looming deadline would have brought attention and the powers that be have doubtless decided that at this point the political weight is in favor of saying yes rather than no.

No kidding. This should have been reviewed over the last 30 years or more. Not 1 hour before the fucking execution is set to take place. How was that not cruel and unusual punishment?