Faith leader speaks about death row

Faith leader speaks about death row

Butler" of kansas.

When nelson is executed... he'll have a spiritual advisor in the chamber with him.

News 10's heather good sat down with "sister barbara battista" to talk about that role.

She joins us now with more on that relationship.

Heather... rondrell... sister barbara battista tells me she has gotten to know keith nelson.

In one of their last conversations... she says nelson told her he hopes he doesn't see her friday -- but he probably will.

She is a familiar face on the front line of death penalty protests... nats sister barbara battista has used her voice to call for an end to federal executions... nats now... she's using her ear to listen to a man -- in the final moments of his life.

Keith nelson is set to be executed friday afternoon in terre haute.

Nelson asked sister barbara to be his minister or record.

She will be in the death chamber with nelson when the federal government carries out his execution.

Heather: "he asked for you specifically?

Sister barbara: "he did.

He did."

Heather: "and what was your reaction to that?"

Sister: "you know.... -- not typed out yet.

Oh god give me the grace."

Heather: "how do you prepare someone to be executed?"

Sister barbara: "you know, it's not so much that i prepare him.

He is preparing himself.

I'm companioning him... ...how does anyone really prepare to be executed?

I don't know and i don't think i'll ever really know."

Sister battista say nelson is resigned to nelson is battista say sister know."

I'll ever really know."

Sister battista say sister sister battista say nelson is resigned to the thought that he will die tomorrow... but he still wants to