>> the execution team will escort the condemned from his death cell into the execution chamber and place him on the gurney. the microphone is basically used to read the death warrant to the condemned and also to allow the condemned to make a last statement. >> prior to being arrested and going to arraignment, i didn't even know alabama had a death penalty. so, when the judge told me the sentences that i faced, i didn't think he was telling the truth. from that point on, yeah, i knew i was coming to death row. i knew i was going to death row. >> the warden stands at this point to look back into the execution chamber. there's an intercom system that allows the warden to communicate with the commissioner for any last-minute stays. and once he's given the okay to proceed, then in the state of alabama, the warden has to perform the execution by lethal