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Oklahoma sets execution dates for inmates who challenged injection drugs Oklahoma sets execution dates for inmates who challenged injection drugs
(35 minutes later)
Oklahoma’s highest criminal court on Wednesday set execution dates for three death row inmates who challenged the use of a drug that will be used in their lethal injections.Oklahoma’s highest criminal court on Wednesday set execution dates for three death row inmates who challenged the use of a drug that will be used in their lethal injections.
The Oklahoma court of criminal appeals set execution dates of 16 September for 52-year-old Richard Eugene Glossip, 7 October for 50-year-old Benjamin Robert Cole, and 28 October for 54-year-old John Marion Grant.The Oklahoma court of criminal appeals set execution dates of 16 September for 52-year-old Richard Eugene Glossip, 7 October for 50-year-old Benjamin Robert Cole, and 28 October for 54-year-old John Marion Grant.
The three inmates had argued that the state’s planned use of the sedative midazolam risked subjecting them to pain and suffering because it doesn’t properly render a person unconscious. But the US supreme court ruled last month in a 5-4 decision that the drug can be used in executions without violating the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The three inmates had argued that the state’s planned use of the sedative midazolam risked subjecting them to pain and suffering because it doesn’t properly render a person unconscious. But the US supreme court ruled last month in a 5-4 decision that the drug can be used in executions without violating the eighth amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Terri Watkins, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, said Wednesday that the state has access to the drugs needed to carry out all three executions. Terri Watkins, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma department of corrections, said on Wednesday that the state has access to the drugs needed to carry out all three executions.
An attorney for the inmates, Dale Baich, said in a statement Wednesday that scientific information about midazolam and its use in previous problematic executions shows that it can’t maintain anesthesia throughout the execution procedure. An attorney for the inmates, Dale Baich, said in a statement on Wednesday that scientific information about midazolam and its use in previous problematic executions shows that it can’t maintain anesthesia throughout the execution procedure.
The three inmates challenged the use of midazolam after Oklahoma used it in last year’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett. Lockett, a convicted murderer who was the first Oklahoma inmate to be put to death with the drug, writhed and moaned on the gurney before state officials tried to halt the execution midway through it.The three inmates challenged the use of midazolam after Oklahoma used it in last year’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett. Lockett, a convicted murderer who was the first Oklahoma inmate to be put to death with the drug, writhed and moaned on the gurney before state officials tried to halt the execution midway through it.
He died anyway, 43 minutes after the execution began.He died anyway, 43 minutes after the execution began.
Midazolam also was used in executions that took longer than usual in Arizona and Ohio last year.Midazolam also was used in executions that took longer than usual in Arizona and Ohio last year.
Oklahoma increased by five times the amount of midazolam it used in the January execution of Charles Warner, who complained of a burning sensation but showed no other obvious signs of physical distress.Oklahoma increased by five times the amount of midazolam it used in the January execution of Charles Warner, who complained of a burning sensation but showed no other obvious signs of physical distress.
Glossip and Grant both already have been denied clemency by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. A clemency hearing for Cole has not been set. Glossip and Grant both already have been denied clemency by the Oklahoma pardon and parole board. A clemency hearing for Cole has not been set.
“The families of the victims in these three heinous crimes have waited a combined 48 years for justice,” Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt said in a statement. “The families of the victims in these three heinous crimes have waited a combined 48 years for justice,” Oklahoma’s attorney general, Scott Pruitt, said in a statement.