Moeller Tells Judge 'I'm Not Crazy'

by Jill Johnson
October 04, 2012 8:00 PM


Thursday is perhaps the last time Donald Moeller will appear in court. Ironically, the man who raped and killed 9-year-old Becky O'Connell more than 20 years agO and denied it for so many years, set out to prove to a U.S. District Judge that he should indeed be executed.

In front of a packed federal courtroom, the 60-year-old tells the judge why he's here.

Attorney General Marty Jackley said, "We heard directly from Donalld Moeller. Donald Moeller did accept responsibility of the kidnapping, rape and murder of a little girl and to use his words, he indicated 'I've killed and deserve to be killed'."
    
It's the first time, that Moeller himself has spoken those words, all to prove that he's not crazy.

Jackley said, "He does accept responsibility, he's admitted his actions and he's prepared really to accept the execution as a consequence for what he's done."

But his court-appointed public defender from Arkansas disagrees. Scott Braeden claims Moeller is incapable of making rational decisions because he's been in confinement so long. He's also challenging that the state's method of execution is unconstitutional.

Then there's Moeller's state-appointed attorney, who is asking that the challenge be dismissed. He and the state say Moeller made himself clear on Thursday.

"The state has taken the position that Donald Moeller has entered into a knowing and voluntary dismissal of the ongoing proceedings in federal court," said Jackley.

In the words of Moeller, "They're going to put poison in my veins and kill me, whether it takes five minutes or 20, I don't care."

He told the judge, "If the rape and murder of Becky O'Connell doesn't deserve the death penalty, I don't know what does."

The judge didn't make a decision on whether to dismiss the challenge made by Moeller's court-appointed attorney. Moeller is set to be executed by lethal injection during the week of Oct. 28. The judge has up until then to decide.