On the recordFebruary 24, 1999
Last year John William King and two accomplices kidnapped James Byrd, Jr. They tied Byrd to the back of a pickup truck, and they dragged Byrd to his death. Byrd's body was shredded to pieces. He was literally decapitated. Yesterday, the jury convicted King. Today, they decide the sentence. I say a capital crime warrants a capital offense and, thus, is a capital punishment sentence. An America that tolerates such crime will continue to experience it. I say the sentence should be very clear to all Americans. Good night, sweet prince. Let us not tolerate it in America. I yield back the air-conditioning, the law library, and the three square meals to the taxpayers.
Source
govinfo.gov
