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Supreme Court Halts Another Lethal Injection

Stay of execution for Virginia man could signal moratorium

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 18, 2007 12:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Supreme Court issued a stay of execution yesterday for Christopher Scott Emmett, four hours before the Virginia inmate was scheduled to die. Observers say the move signals a de facto moratorium on executions, as the court considers the legality of lethal injection. One expert called it “the most profound hiatus in the death penalty in at least two decades.”

The court has now halted two executions since agreeing to hear Baze v. Rees, which challenges lethal injection as a cruel and unusual punishment. The traditional four-drug cocktail might cause great pain, the Washington Post reports, but render the victim unable to express it. Of the 38 states that use the death penalty, all save Nebraska use lethal injection.

FILE ** Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo. Alabama has joined a growing list of Southern states facing court... (Associated Press)

UPDATES lethal injection statistics with latest numbers; graphic shows states that use lethal injection and shows how many times lethal injection has been used in the U.S (Associated Press)

Graphic shows states that use lethal injection and shows how many times lethal injection has been used in the U.S; 1c x 3 inches; 46.5 mm x 76.2 mm (Associated Press)

This photo provided by the Virginia Department of Corrections shows convicted murderer Christopher Scott Emmett at the Greensville Correctional Facility, in Jarratt, Va. Virginia went ahead with preparations... (Associated Press)

Florida's lethal injection gurney is shown in an undated handout photo taken in the redesigned death chamber which will accommodate either the electric chair or the gurney at Florida State Prison. Lethal... (Associated Press)

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Supreme Court Halts Another Lethal Injection

Stay of execution for Virginia man could signal moratorium

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