Witnesses to an Execution

*State law mandates that only specific people are allowed to witness an execution.  All witnesses must be at least 18 years old.

Eligible witnesses:

  • Immediate family members of the victim.
  • Immediate family members of the condemned offender.
  • The warden of the prison or the associate warden.
  • The sheriff of the county where the crime was committed.
  • The offender's spiritual advisor or the prison chaplain.
  • The prison physician.
  • Attendants deemed necessary by the warden to carry out an execution.
  • Up to 7 members of the media, selected in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Correction.
  • One defense counsel chosen by the offender.
  • The State Attorney General or designee.

Media Witness Policy 0420-3-4 (in pdf format)

Media Witness Application (in pdf format)

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