Judge denies 1 large dose of sedative for executions

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Judge denies 1 large dose of sedative for executions
Updated 5:22 pm, Friday, October 9, 2015

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge says the state of Alabama may not use a large dose of a sedative to execute five death row inmates.

U.S. District Judge William Keith Watkins rejected the suggestion Thursday. His decision was part of an order denying the state's request to dismiss lawsuits from five inmates who have challenged Alabama's three-drug lethal injection procedure. The inmates were asked to present alternate means of execution, and in amended complaints, they suggested using single doses of the sedative midazolam.

The Alabama Attorney General's office filed a motion saying it would accept that alternative, but Watkins denied it.

The judge also ordered the inmates' lawsuits to be combined. A status conference for the combined case is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Judge-denies-1-large-dose-of-sedative-for-6562106.php

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[center]

U.S. District Judge William Keith Watkins

"The Honorable W. Keith Watkins"

Honorable. [/center]

[eggplant]

1. Gassing them with Nitrogen would be the humane thing to do.

The body can't detect the lack of oxygen, so you don't feel like you are suffocating. The right-to-die folks recommend it, and that's for people not on death row.

[SheilaT]

2. Here's what I don't understand:

We euthanize our cats and dogs, humanely and swiftly. I'll admit I'm only familiar with the euthanization of small cats, but I suspect it's very similar to dogs.

So why can't we do essentially the same thing with humans? Every time I've had a cat euthanized it's been a less than 10 minute procedure. Okay, I understand that an adult human is a lot larger than a cat, but still. Do vets euthanize large animals? How do they accomplish that? Shouldn't those techniques (and the drugs) be applied to people?

Please bear in mind that I am utterly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, just as I'm opposed to guns to the point that I think they should all be confiscated. I do understand my positions here are in a distinct minority, but can't the killing of humans be made more humane?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Not if right-wing scum balls have anything to do.

Gotta torture them as much as possible before they are saved by the mercy of the death angel. Just because we can. After all, look how holy we all are!

[newfie11]

6. The companies that make that drug the vets use

Are refusing to sell it for executing prisoners.
At least that what I read.

[longship]

4. Seda-give?

Stop the madness. No more death penalty.

[Lunabell]

5. Cruel and inhumane.

I am not an opponent of the death penalty,(that is an argument for a different place and time) but I am an opponent of cruel and inhumane treatment of those who are scheduled to be executed. Other than the inevitable needle prick, it should be a peaceful painless process. The government should spend what ever it takes to assure these peoples passing will not be heinous and painful.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. Sorry but

I know you said this is not the time or place but....the act of premeditated and deliberate killing of another human being is about the worst despicable act ever , no matter who does it. And if that is what the convict is convicted of...then two despicable acts do not cancel each other out, it only compounds the wrong. And that each citizen in a democracy that consents to this ancient barbarac practice is partly guilty as well. The fact that the State itself condones it, permeates into the greater community creating a tolerance and normalization for the deliberate taking of life. Violence begets violence. Its a disease that spreads.