Supreme Court Will Hear Death Penalty Case, but Not in Time to Save 3 Lives
The high court agreed Friday to hear a case testing the humaneness of Oklahoma's lethal injection protocol.
The high court agreed Friday to hear a case testing the humaneness of Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol.
But in a 5-4 decision along party lines, the court agreed to let three Oklahoma executions take place before the case is heard. Richard Glossip, John Grant and Benjamin Cole, all convicted of heinous crimes, are scheduled to be executed in January, February and March, respectively. The court will hear arguments the following month, in April.
At issue is whether Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol should be considered cruel and unusual punishment, which is expressly prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.
The issue comes up after Oklahoma botched the execution of Clayton Lockett last in April. Lockett appeared to suffer greatly as he was put to death.
An attorney arguing against the state said, “The drug protocol used in Oklahoma is not capable of producing a humane execution, even if it is administered properly.”
Source: Reuters.
— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer
In 2026, amid chaos and the nonstop flurry of headlines, Truthdig remains independent, fact-based and focused on exposing what power tries to hide.
Support Independent Journalism.
Efforts by the inmate's legal team and journalists lead California's governor to order a re-examination of the case. Cooper tells his story here.
Ending the death penalty, which is disproportionately imposed on African Americans, would be a good first step toward righting some of this nation’s wrongs.
The White House and Colorado's GOP leave the local sheriff with a $24,000 tab for security, and other news and notes from the 2020 race.
The conservative Republican became a strong proponent of abortion rights, consumer protection and limits on the death penalty.
A horrific new ruling would let states execute people in more painful ways, even when alternatives are available.
In calling for a moratorium on executions, the California governor has shown tremendous moral courage. He has my eternal gratitude.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.