deaf, blind, crippled, mentally ill, dementia death row inmate dead at 94

[Liberal_in_LA]

Oldest U.S. death row inmate dead at 94

FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — The oldest death row inmate in the United States, who spent most of his life behind bars, has died of natural causes at age 94.
Viva Leroy Nash died late Friday at the state's prison complex in Florence, said an Arizona Department of Corrections spokesman.

Nash was still on death row, but spokesman Barrett Marson said Sunday he did not know if Nash died in his cell or in a medical facility at the prison.

Nash had been imprisoned almost continuously since he was 15 and was deaf, mostly blind, crippled, mentally ill and had dementia, said his attorney, Thomas Phalen. State prosecutors were appealing a federal ruling that Nash might not be competent to the U.S. Supreme Court at the time of his death, Phalen said.

Nash was born in 1915 and had a criminal record dating to the 1930s. Phalen said his research shows that Nash grew up in southern Utah and was sent to the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1930 for an armed robbery.

He spent 25 years in prison for shooting a Connecticut police officer in 1947. In 1977, Nash was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for a robbery and murder in Salt Lake City but escaped from a prison work crew in October 1982.

Three weeks later, on Nov. 3, 1982, Nash went into a coin shop in Phoenix and demanded money from an employee, Greggory West.

Nash shot West three times, killing him. Another employee was in the line of fire but was not hit, according to the corrections department. As Nash ran away, a nearby shop owner pointed a gun at him and told him to stop. Nash grabbed the weapon and the two men struggled over it until police arrived and arrested him.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-14-oldest-death-row-inmate_N.htm?csp=24&RM_Exclude=Juno

[virgogal]

1. Unbelievable !

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

17. What is so unbelievable about a double murderer dying in prison?

[virgogal]

45. The unbelievable referred to the entire story. The way he lived

his life,the lives he took,his mental and physical condition,and the fact that he lived so long.

He died where he deserved to die.

[givemebackmycountry]

2. Let it be said....

Viva Leroy Nash was a bad motherfucker.

[Blue-Jay]

3. and a killer.

[salguine]

30. I beg to differ. Shaft is a bad motherfucker. Viva Leroy Nash was just an asshole.

[proteus_lives]

36. Hardly.

He was criminal scum and he got the lonely, dirty death he deserved.

[asdjrocky]

4. Reminds me of a time I was locked up.

There was this old fellow, like 88 years old who had killed his wife. It wasn't prison, just a county jail and guys were there awaiting trial or on petty stuff, I was only there for like 3 weeks.

The old guy had dementia and was just not all there. Everyone was very nice to him, I mean, what were we supposed to do? The guards there were pretty good guys and they made sure he got two pillows and extra blankets. We gave him extra food if he was hungry. I saw no one there ever disrespect that man, in fact we all felt pretty bad for his situation and most of us couldn't fathom why someone like that was inside. It just didn't make sense.

One day he got it into his head that someone was going to tow away his RV if he didn't move it from where he had left it, and he kept yelling at anyone and everyone to let him out so he could attend his business.

Every few minuets you'd here him bellow from down the hall where he had a privet cell, "God damn it let me out of here so I can move my God damned RV! They're going to tow it!"

Everyone ignored him the best they could until finally a guard had had enough and shouted back at him. "John, we're not going to let you out, now shut up!"

"Why the hell not?" John replied indignantly.

"Because you killed your wife!" Was the answer.

There was a moment, just a beat, then, "Are you guys still mad about that?"

Jail changes people.

[redwitch]

9. LOL

That is a funny story. Sad too, but funny. Thanks for sharing it. You have to stay away from places like that!

[asdjrocky]

10. Hell, for a time it was a second home.

In fairness, I have been jailed more than a few times for trespass during protests at Lawrence Livermore Labs in the 80s. Twice for the Battle in Seattle. Most of the time just for the night or a few hours.

The other stuff I just blame on the bad streak I get from my Dads side of the family.:evilgrin:

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. He won't kill again.

[alarimer]

6. What is the point of keeping someone like that on death row?

I mean, they should have put him in some kind of care facility instead.

The utter lack of compassion in some here is appalling.

Law and order assholes.

[Monk06]

7. Not to mention, rest home $20,000 per year - Supermax death row $150,000 per year.

It's not like he could escape from anywhere in
his condition.

[sylvi]

12. No rest home is going to take

No rest home is going to take a dementia resident with that history of violence, even if it's a remote history. None but a few specializing in behavioral challenges, perhaps, and then it would be a heckuva lot more than $20K/year and probably with a waiting list stretching into infinity.

[Monk06]

14. Don't take me too seriously. Just sayin the guy could be taken care of in

cheaper and better for him, lower security
facility. He could be housed with minor
felons on a work farm in his condition.

Supermax for an advanced aged prisoner who is
blind deaf and demented is nuts. It's like putting
an Alzheimer's patient in super max.

[Hekate]

40. On second thought, deleted, even though I fundamentally agree with you.

[petronius]

47. I heard his lawyer on the radio the other day - IIRC he said that he had

been moved into a medical facility at the jail...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

8. Justice was served. He died where he belonged, behind bars.

[asdjrocky]

11. Justice is a funny word in America.

If justice mattered, why is Bush and Chaney walking around free? When will Delay stand trial?

Should I go on?

Okay, a man kills one man he has to die for it because it's justice, but if you want to get away with something, kill thousands.

I don't throw words like justice around until I see some in my country.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

13. Reading is fundamental. I'll give you another try.

I never said he had to die for the crime. I believe that anyone who murders 2 people at 2 separate incidents and shoots a police officer in another incident has certainly forfeited his right to walk the earth as a free man. Feel free to argue differently.

[asdjrocky]

15. Even for a high school drop out my fundamentals are just fine.

My point is, until there is justice for all, there is justice for none.

It's one of the basic cornerstones of our "Democracy."

That was my point.

And of course if someone kills 2, or 2 million, they should pay the price. But to demand the price from the poor and week and not the rich and powerful makes any justice in America a joke.

Just my opinion.

I'm more of a do as I do guy, not do as I say.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

16. So you agree he should have spent his natural life behind bars?

[asdjrocky]

18. That's not my point.

How can we send one man to jail for killing when we won't even talk to someone else about the thousands that have died at his hand?

I don't have an easy answer, only more questions.

I think someone should go to jail for killing people, of course.

You said justice was served, and I said there is no justice. I stand by that statement, it's either justice for all or justice for none. I don't think justice is at all being served in our country.

More like it's being serviced.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

19. Justice was served in this case. The man got what he deserved.

[asdjrocky]

20. Justice for all.

It's a philosophical question.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

25. In a perfect world yes. Let's keep the double murderers in prison for life, reagrdless.

[asdjrocky]

27. We can do that, and we can be in agreement on that Dave.

But I won't call it justice. It is my ardent belief that there is little resembling justice in our country today.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

31. It certainly seems that way at times.

[asdjrocky]

32. Peace Dave. Always good to see you. nt

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

34. Take care my friend.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. "died at his hand"

Define that for me.

[asdjrocky]

23. A signature.

A wave. A gesture. The a-okay sign?

Don't the politicians use at least one of these to declare a war? I believe many if not all of the deaths in the two current wars are at the hands of our politicians.

I'm not trying to fight with anyone, but it's what I believe. Responsibility is responsibility.

There can not be justice for one, until there is justice for all.

[cherokeeprogressive]

28. "at the hands of our politicians" Which ones? Are there politicians you would exempt from that

judgment? Everyone on our side, and none on theirs?

I don't know of any war that was started with "a wave", "a gesture", or an "A-Okay sign". Maybe you can tighten me up in that respect.

I agree with you that "many if not all of the deaths in the two current wars are at the hands of our politicians". I would hope though, that when you make that claim, you think about ALL the politicians involved in the votes AND the business of prosecuting those wars. There are war criminals on BOTH sides who are getting RICHER every day.

[asdjrocky]

29. I am 100% with you on that.

We are in full and total agreement. Everyone has blood on their hands.

Everyone in office then, and everyone in office now.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

As far as the wave and what not, poor poetic licence is my only plea.

I want peace and I want it now.

Friends?

[cherokeeprogressive]

33. Dude... You're one of my favorite posters. Friends? I'm flattered. I WANT PEACE AND I WANT IT NOW

Not only that, but as a rainbow father, I want equality YESTERDAY...

Friends. Without question.

[asdjrocky]

35. I'm a proud rainbow uncle!

Her wedding is in July, and I can't tell you how proud I am. She teaches school, she's a great liberal and she's got a wonderful partner.

In fact, I'm even pulling in an old favor to get her the best DJ in Ca for the reception.

And I'm flattered because you are one of my favorites as well! :hi:

[cherokeeprogressive]

38. I'm glad my daughter won't read this...

She'd be poking me and asking WHY CAN'T YOU GET ME THAT DJ?

Yeah, I don't have that kind of juice. Not that she doesn't know that, but she likes to play me like a fish cuz she knows I'm the easiest straight man she'll ever meet, and would that I could... I'd do anything in the world for her.

You've made my night... I'll put my head on my pillow in a few, and I'll be smilin'...

[asdjrocky]

42. When you wake up and read this-

Know the only juice I have is in the fridge and I think it's gone bad.

I just worked for too long as a DJ, and it's a darn good thing I'm getting a break, big one, on the price or I couldn't afford to be such a cool uncle.

And you made my night too.

[gratuitous]

22. I used to think the Soviets were pretty heartless

But we Americans have them beat nine ways from Sunday.

[proteus_lives]

37. Wow, really?

Ever crack a history book about life in the USSR? Or their prison system?

[gratuitous]

43. Yeah, really

Ever crack a Constitution? Or that Eighth Amendment?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

46. So you think it's unconstitutional to let a double murderer die in prison?

[Randall Flagg]

24. But he sure played a mean pinball.

(sorry)

[asdjrocky]

26. That's it,

I'm calling Uncle Ernie.

[proteus_lives]

39. No one worth mourning.

I figure this would make the anti-DP people. Don't they want prisoners to spend the rest of their worthless lives in jail?

[Hekate]

41. There's something in me that hopes the old murderer ended his days in the hospital wing...

... experiencing the human comfort he probably hadn't felt since infancy. In life, he was a bad man who needed to be locked up; in extreme old age, he was an Alzheimer's patient.

Hekate

[Stevenmarc]

44. Sorry but this one goes in the, who gives a fuck pile.