"At 8:00 p.m. it was nearing the end of John Evans' last day on death row. He had
             spent most of the day with his minister and family, praying and talking of what was
             to come. At 8:20 he was walked from his cell down to the long hall to the
             execution room and strapped in the electric chair. At 8:30 p.m. the first jolt of
             1900 volts passed through Mr. Evans' body. It lasted 30 seconds. Sparks and
             flames erupted from the electrode tied to Mr. Evans' leg. His body slammed
             against the straps holding him in the chair and his fist clenched permanently. The
             electrode then burst from the strap holding it in place. A large puff of gray smoke
             and sparks pored out from under the hood that covered his face. An overpowering
             stench of burnt flesh and clothing began pervading the witness room. Two doctors
             then examined Mr. Evans and declared that he was not dead.
             The electrode was then refastened and Mr. Evans was given another 30-second
             jolt. The stench was nauseating. Again the doctors examined him and found his
             heart still beating. At this time the prison commissioner, who was talking on the line
             with Governor George Wallace of Alabama, was asked to cancel the execution on
             the grounds that Mr. Evans was being subject to cruel and unusual punishment.
             The request was denied.
             At 8:40 p.m. the third charge of electricity was passed through Mr. Evans body.
             At 8:44 p.m. he was pronounced dead. The execution took 14 minutes. Afterward
             officials were embarrassed by what one observer called the "barbari...