Hearing to Determine if CA Lethal Injection Method Painful

At a four-day hearing to determine whether or not the state of California can continue their method of execution on one of the country’s biggest death rows, lawyers argue that the protocol is unconstitutional citing that it causes pain.

One medical testimony came from a veterinarian who claimed he would never euthanize animals the way Calif. executes death row inmates. Different drugs and sedatives are used on animals, and vets typically forego the paralyzing agent that many think is used only to make inmates look serene.

“The combination (of drugs) used and the manner in which they are given can lead to pain and suffering in patients,” the veterinarian testified.

Prior to his testimony, defense attorney for a condemned prisoner argued that the state’s method of killing inmates must be overhauled because the current method is unconstitutionally cruel.

U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel was at the center of the debate and listened as medical professionals, prison wardens, and execution team members testified about Calif.’s injection method.

According to Fogel, “The Constitution forbids punishments which inflict severe degrees of pain, and the question in this case is whether California’s lethal injection protocol violates that constitutional prohibition.”

He also added that once the hearing is complete, he may demand changes to the procedure.

California began lethal injections in 1996 after a federal ruling declared the gas chamber was considered cruel and unconstitutional. Currently, inmate executions have been delayed in Missouri, Delaware, and New Jersey, as those states also face arguments against the injection protocol.

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