This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34205128

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Arkansas set to resume executions after 10-year hiatus Arkansas set to resume executions after 10-year hiatus
(35 minutes later)
The US state of Arkansas is set to resume executing death row inmates after a 10-year hiatus brought on by legal concerns and drug shortages.The US state of Arkansas is set to resume executing death row inmates after a 10-year hiatus brought on by legal concerns and drug shortages.
Governor Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday set the execution dates for eight men. Governor Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday set the execution dates for eight men.
On 21 October, two inmates are scheduled to die by the state's lethal three-drug cocktail, which includes the controversial drug midazolam.On 21 October, two inmates are scheduled to die by the state's lethal three-drug cocktail, which includes the controversial drug midazolam.
Executions in the US have been delayed recently amid problems buying drugs as many firms have refused to sell them.Executions in the US have been delayed recently amid problems buying drugs as many firms have refused to sell them.
Twenty-seven people have been executed in Arkansas since 1976 when the US Supreme Court reintroduced the death penalty.Twenty-seven people have been executed in Arkansas since 1976 when the US Supreme Court reintroduced the death penalty.
The dates were set following the request last week of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.The dates were set following the request last week of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
She sent letters to the governor telling him that the condemned inmates had run out of appeals options and that state officials had acquired enough of the needed drugs to carry out the punishments.She sent letters to the governor telling him that the condemned inmates had run out of appeals options and that state officials had acquired enough of the needed drugs to carry out the punishments.
The state still faces one lawsuit that challenges a new law that allows the state to conceal how it obtains the lethal drugs needed to perform the execution procedure.The state still faces one lawsuit that challenges a new law that allows the state to conceal how it obtains the lethal drugs needed to perform the execution procedure.
More on the death penalty:More on the death penalty:
However, the US Supreme Court and other federal courts have rejected similar challenges in other states.However, the US Supreme Court and other federal courts have rejected similar challenges in other states.
Lawyer Jeff Rosenzweig represents the eight condemned inmates as well as a ninth individual whose case is still in the appeals process.Lawyer Jeff Rosenzweig represents the eight condemned inmates as well as a ninth individual whose case is still in the appeals process.
Mr Rosenzweig has said that he plans to file for the executions to be delayed.Mr Rosenzweig has said that he plans to file for the executions to be delayed.
On 1 July, the state's Department of Correction said it had enough of the lethal drugs it needed to perform the executions.On 1 July, the state's Department of Correction said it had enough of the lethal drugs it needed to perform the executions.
Its stockpiles include a sufficient supply of midazolam, which has been criticized since executions last year in Arizona, Ohio and Oklahoma did not go as planned.Its stockpiles include a sufficient supply of midazolam, which has been criticized since executions last year in Arizona, Ohio and Oklahoma did not go as planned.
In June, the US Supreme court approved the drug for continued use when it rejected a challenge from three Oklahoma death-row inmates.In June, the US Supreme court approved the drug for continued use when it rejected a challenge from three Oklahoma death-row inmates.