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| Tennessee inmate chooses electric chair over lethal injection | Tennessee inmate chooses electric chair over lethal injection |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An inmate in the US state of Tennessee has been executed by electric chair after arguing that a lethal injection would involve suffering. | An inmate in the US state of Tennessee has been executed by electric chair after arguing that a lethal injection would involve suffering. |
| David Earl Miller, who spent 36 years on death row, was the latest of an increasing number of inmates attempting to avoid lethal injection following several botched executions. | David Earl Miller, who spent 36 years on death row, was the latest of an increasing number of inmates attempting to avoid lethal injection following several botched executions. |
| Another Tennessee inmate, Edmund Zagorski, was electrocuted last month. | Another Tennessee inmate, Edmund Zagorski, was electrocuted last month. |
| Lethal injection is the state's main method of execution. | Lethal injection is the state's main method of execution. |
| However, Tennessee inmates on death row whose crimes were committed before 1999 are allowed to choose electrocution instead. | |
| Prior to Zagorski's execution, the electric chair had not been used since 2013. | Prior to Zagorski's execution, the electric chair had not been used since 2013. |
| Miller was pronounced dead at 19:25 local time on Thursday (01:25 GMT Friday) at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. | Miller was pronounced dead at 19:25 local time on Thursday (01:25 GMT Friday) at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. |
| Tennessee department of correction spokesman Tylee Tracer said that Miller's last words were: "Beats being on death row." | Tennessee department of correction spokesman Tylee Tracer said that Miller's last words were: "Beats being on death row." |
| Miller was found guilty of killing a 23-year-old mentally ill woman in 1981. | Miller was found guilty of killing a 23-year-old mentally ill woman in 1981. |
| In court, both Miller and Zagorski had cited the August execution of Billy Ray Irick, who turned purple and took 20 minutes to die, AP reported. | In court, both Miller and Zagorski had cited the August execution of Billy Ray Irick, who turned purple and took 20 minutes to die, AP reported. |
| Zagorski's execution was the second time the state's electric chair had been used since 1960. | Zagorski's execution was the second time the state's electric chair had been used since 1960. |
| Why is lethal injection controversial? | Why is lethal injection controversial? |
| Miller, 61, and Zagorski, 63, argued that the midazolam-based lethal injection used by Tennessee would lead to a prolonged and painful death. | Miller, 61, and Zagorski, 63, argued that the midazolam-based lethal injection used by Tennessee would lead to a prolonged and painful death. |
| It follows a series of executions using different combinations of drug where prisoners have appeared to suffer. The US constitution bans cruel and unusual punishments. | |
| In September a doctor told a court in Tennessee that Irick felt pain akin to torture during his execution, The Tennessean newspaper reported. | |
| Dr David Lubarsky argued that the midazolam sedated Irick but did not prevent him from feeling the effects of the other two drugs injected as part of the execution. | Dr David Lubarsky argued that the midazolam sedated Irick but did not prevent him from feeling the effects of the other two drugs injected as part of the execution. |
| Proponents of lethal injection argue that the process is painless. | Proponents of lethal injection argue that the process is painless. |
| Miller was also one of four death row inmates who brought a federal case asking Tennessee to use a firing squad instead of either lethal injection or electrocution, the Tennessean reported. | Miller was also one of four death row inmates who brought a federal case asking Tennessee to use a firing squad instead of either lethal injection or electrocution, the Tennessean reported. |
| In neighbouring Alabama, more than 50 inmates have chosen to be killed in the nitrogen gas chamber rather than be given a lethal injection after being given the option earlier this year, Vox reported. | In neighbouring Alabama, more than 50 inmates have chosen to be killed in the nitrogen gas chamber rather than be given a lethal injection after being given the option earlier this year, Vox reported. |
| Which states use the electric chair? | Which states use the electric chair? |
| Electrocution is no longer the main method of execution in any US state. | Electrocution is no longer the main method of execution in any US state. |
| Courts in Georgia and Nebraska have said the electric chair is unconstitutional. | Courts in Georgia and Nebraska have said the electric chair is unconstitutional. |
| However, Miller was told he could not argue that the electric chair was unconstitutional because he himself had chosen it, AP reported. | However, Miller was told he could not argue that the electric chair was unconstitutional because he himself had chosen it, AP reported. |
| Hanging was the most common form of capital punishment in the US until the 1890s. Then, the electric chair became the most widespread method. | Hanging was the most common form of capital punishment in the US until the 1890s. Then, the electric chair became the most widespread method. |
| In 1982, the first execution by lethal injection was carried out by the state of Texas, after which it gradually replaced the electric chair across the nation. | In 1982, the first execution by lethal injection was carried out by the state of Texas, after which it gradually replaced the electric chair across the nation. |
| More on the US death penalty | More on the US death penalty |