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Oklahoma asks court to delay three scheduled executions Oklahoma asks court to delay three scheduled executions
(about 1 hour later)
Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma’s attorney general, said Monday he was asking the U.S. Supreme Court to postpone three executions in his state that are scheduled over the next six weeks, with the first set for Thursday.Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma’s attorney general, said Monday he was asking the U.S. Supreme Court to postpone three executions in his state that are scheduled over the next six weeks, with the first set for Thursday.
Last week, the court announced it would hear arguments over Oklahoma’s lethal-injection procedures in response to a petition filed by the three inmates the state intends to execute. The justices are going to consider whether the protocol used by Oklahoma violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Last week, the court announced it would hear arguments over Oklahoma’s procedures for lethal injections in response to a petition filed by the three inmates the state intends to execute. The justices are going to consider whether the protocol used by Oklahoma violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Pruitt said he was asking for a stay until the court issues a ruling or until the state’s Department of Corrections can obtain a drug to use in executions other than the sedative midazolam, which is at the center of concerns about the injection procedure.Pruitt said he was asking for a stay until the court issues a ruling or until the state’s Department of Corrections can obtain a drug to use in executions other than the sedative midazolam, which is at the center of concerns about the injection procedure.
Attorneys for the three inmates had said they planned to file stay requests with the court as well. Attorneys for the three inmates filed a petition Monday agreeing with Oklahoma’s request to stay the executions until the justices rule on the case
On Friday, Pruitt said his office would “defend the constitutionality of this protocol” in front of the Supreme Court.On Friday, Pruitt said his office would “defend the constitutionality of this protocol” in front of the Supreme Court.
Oklahoma adopted its lethal injection procedure last year after the botched execution of Clayton Lockett, who grimaced and kicked before dying 43 minutes after his execution began.Oklahoma adopted its lethal injection procedure last year after the botched execution of Clayton Lockett, who grimaced and kicked before dying 43 minutes after his execution began.
That execution was one of three problematic lethal injections last year that involved midazolam. The Oklahoma execution was the first time the state used that drug, which officials turned to after they were unable to obtain the drug they had previously used. Oklahoma’s new policy involves a higher dose of midazolam, matching the amount that Florida has used since 2013.That execution was one of three problematic lethal injections last year that involved midazolam. The Oklahoma execution was the first time the state used that drug, which officials turned to after they were unable to obtain the drug they had previously used. Oklahoma’s new policy involves a higher dose of midazolam, matching the amount that Florida has used since 2013.
“It is important that we act in order to best serve the interests of the victims of these horrific crimes and the state’s obligation to ensure justice in each and every case.” Pruitt said in a statement Monday. “The families of the victims in these three cases have waited a combined 48 years for the sentences of these heinous crimes to be carried out.” “It is important that we act in order to best serve the interests of the victims of these horrific crimes and the state’s obligation to ensure justice in each and every case.” Pruitt said in a statement Monday. “The families of the victims in these three cases have waited a combined 48 years for the sentences of these heinous crimes to be carried out.”
The oral arguments are scheduled to begin on April 29, Pruitt said.The oral arguments are scheduled to begin on April 29, Pruitt said.