by Robert James Bidinotto

About the author: Robert James Bidinotto is an award-winning journalist and the author of Freed to Kill. He is also the editor of Criminal Justice? The Legal System Vs. Individual Responsibility.

On March 25, 1996, officials of the Florida Department of Corrections strapped condemned killer Pedro Medina into the electric chair at Florida State Prison. Like 38 other infamous murderers since 1976, including serial killer Ted Bundy, Medina would meet his end in the embrace of "Old Sparky."

This time, however, the 74-year-old oak electric chair more than lived up to its grisly name—and in the process, re-opened the age-old debate over the morality of the death penalty.

After the black leather mask was lowered over Medina's face, the first of three surges of 2,000 volts of electricity jolted his body. He lurched back in the chair. Suddenly flames shot...