Execution date set for Joseph Timothy Keel

Michael F. Easley Governor		Theodis Beck Secretary
North Carolina Department of Correction

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Keith Acree
Date: Sept. 26, 2003	Phone: (919) 716-3700

Execution date set for Joseph Timothy Keel RALEIGH - Correction Secretary Theodis Beck has set Nov. 7, 2003 as the execution date for inmate Joseph Timothy Keel. The execution is scheduled for 2:00 a.m. at Central Prison in Raleigh. On Mar. 30, 1993, Keel was sentenced to death in Edgecombe County Superior Court for the murder of John Simmons. Execution dates for Keel were previously set for Aug. 6, 1999 and Sept. 29, 1999, but both were stayed by the North Carolina Supreme Court. On Sept. 11, 2003, the North Carolina Supreme Court dissolved the remaining stay. Central Prison Warden Marvin Polk will explain the execution procedures during a media tour scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3 at 10:00 a.m. Interested media representatives should arrive at Central Prison’s visitor center promptly at 10:00 a.m. on the tour date. The session will last approximately one hour. The media tour will be the only opportunity to photograph the execution chamber and deathwatch area before the execution. Journalists who plan to attend the tour should contact the Department of Correction Public Information Office at (919) 716-3700 by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct 31. *# # #*