The Shot in the Arm

Great piece this morning in the Los Angeles Times about a challenge to lethal injections taking place today in Oklahoma. Unlike many of the other recent cases surrounding the use of deadly chemicals, which have in the main focused upon the timing of the challenge and other procedural matters, this case focuses entirely upon the science of the drugs and their interaction with the condemned prisoner. Two doctors have stepped forward to say that Oklahoma mixes and then applies the deadly cocktail incorrectly. The death penalty itself is not at stake in the case, which is why some observers believe we may see some movement in the case.

The capital defendant involved is Eric Allen Patton who is scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma on August 29. So far, reports the Times, the State has not responded to those doctors who say that Oklahoma should change the way it administers the drugs to Patton. I'll follow this today and update you on what those arguments sounded like.

By Andrew Cohen |  August 8, 2006; 9:00 AM ET
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Posted by: John S | August 15, 2006 01:26 PM

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