He told the Iranian daily newspaper “Kayhan” what it had felt like. “That first second lasted like a thousand years. I felt my arms and legs jerking out of control. Up on the gallows in the dark, I was trying to fill my lungs with air, but they were crumpled up like plastic bags.” Niazali’s hanging reportedly lasted 20 minutes. —Richard Clark, from “Hanged by the Neck Until Dead! The Processes and Physiology of Judicial Hanging” (www.capitalpunishmentuk.org) With Kenneth en route to the hospital and two deputies working on evidence collection while Laney was transported to the sheriff’s office, Justine found Larry Crane standing in the Fleming front yard, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Probably to hide their shaking. “We need to talk, Deputy.” Deliberately, she didn’t use his brand-new title. He caught on in an instant, his gaze snapping to hers, his expression apprehensive. “So you’re demoting me? For this?” “I’m not saying that.” She searched for some way to ease him through the moment.
