Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 6:51:56 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Supreme Court Upholds Kentucky Lethal Injection

Posted Apr 16, 08 10:01 AM CDT in US 

(Newser) – By a vote of 7-2, the Supreme Court upheld today the use of lethal injection by a three-drug cocktail. Two death row inmates in Kentucky had charged that the method violated their Eighth Amendment right to be spared cruel and unusual punishment. The mix of drugs has been used in most US executions over the past three decades, Reuters reports.

Executions have been on hold since the high court took the case in September, the AP adds. The inmates argued that if the cocktail’s initial anesthetic fails, the process can cause excruciating pain. John Roberts’ opinion concljuded:  “Petitioners have not carried their burden of showing that the risk of pain from maladministration of a concededly humane lethal injection protocol … constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”

Sources Reuters, Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Texas Steps Up Executions to Clear Logjam

    Oct 24, 08 2:25 PM CDT
    Texas Steps Up Executions to Clear Logjam A dozen condemned inmates in Texas's "death watch" cells are being executed at a scheduled rate of two a week through November. The executions relieve a logjam created when the US Supreme Court effectively halted lethal injections while deciding whether the method was unconstitutionally inhumane. It ruled the method constitutional, and executions resumed.
    More »

  • Court Refuses Davis Case; 'Too Fat' Cooey Executed

    Oct 14, 08 11:12 AM CDT
    Court Refuses Davis Case; 'Too Fat' Cooey Executed The Supreme Court refused today to decide whether executing an individual backed by a strong claim to innocence violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The rejection paves the way for the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, accused of murdering a Georgia policeman. The court stayed Davis’ execution 2 weeks ago after seven of nine witnesses against him recanted their testimonies; three others said one of the witnesses admitted to the murder. More »

  • Ohio Killer: I'm Too Fat to Execute

    Aug 5, 08 7:00 AM CDT
    Ohio Killer: I'm Too Fat to Execute A convicted killer and rapist on Ohio's death row is arguing in a lawsuit that he's too fat to be humanely executed. Lawyers for Richard Wade Cooey claim the 5'-7", 275-pound inmate is morbidly obese, and veins suitable for lethal injection would be difficult to find, reports the Columbus Post Dispatch.
    More »

  • Ohio Judge Rejects 3-Drug Lethal Injections

    Jun 10, 08 10:53 PM CDT
    Ohio Judge Rejects 3-Drug Lethal Injections An Ohio judge has ordered authorities to stop using a lethal three-drug cocktail for executions because it may cause excruciating pain. Instead,  the judge ruled in favor of a single lethal dose of a barbiturate used in animal euthanasia, the New York Times reports. State officials are reviewing the decision—which bucks the trend of recent cases in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld similar executions. More »

  • Supreme Court Expands Margins

    May 23, 08 2:35 PM CDT
    Supreme Court Expands Margins The Supreme Court divisions expected after Samuel Alito replaced Sandra Day O’Connor materialized last term but have since disappeared in a tide of consensus. Only one of 35 cases this term has been decided 5 to 4. Linda Greenhouse of the New York Times looks at a once-predictable panel that seems to be emphasizing concessions over confrontations. More »

Attorney Donald Verrilli, who argued against the use of a three drug cocktail used to execute inmates.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
This artist rendering shows Roy Englert, who argued on behalf of state of Kentucky in the death penalty lethal injection case, before the Supreme Court.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
With the Capitol in the background, Roy Englert, who argued on behalf of state of Kentucky, right, talks with Kentucky Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Michael Brown.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Alabama's lethal injection chamber.   (AP Photo/File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

US Supreme Court • Kentucky • lethal injection • death row • cruel and unusual punishment


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »