Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Bureau of Prisons set May 16, 2001, as the date on which to carry out the death sentence of inmate Timothy James McVeigh at the United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute, Indiana. McVeigh was found guilty in June 1997 of the bombing on April 19, 1995, of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

The Bureau of Prisons notified McVeigh today in writing of the execution date. The time of execution will be announced at a later date.

A jury recommended the death penalty for McVeigh on June 13, 1997, and, as required by law, U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch formally imposed the sentence on August 14, 1997. McVeigh was convicted in U.S. District Court in the District of Colorado, of Conspiracy to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Destruction by Explosive and eight counts of First Degree Murder.

The method of execution will be by lethal injection. The last civilian executed by the Federal government was Victor Feguer, hanged in 1963 at the Iowa State Penitentiary, Fort Madison, Iowa, for murder and kidnaping.

Written notification regarding the procedures for viewing the execution by victims or victim family members will be sent via letter by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma when the procedures are finalized.

A notice will be sent in the upcoming weeks to media representatives regarding the establishment of a media and information center, and procedures for applying to be a media pool witness to this execution.