Death penalty states unmoved by botched execution

[Lite Beer]

Death penalty states unmoved by botched execution
SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

McALESTER, Oklahoma (AP) — Oklahoma's last execution went so badly that the state tried to cancel it before it was over. With the inmate writhing while the lethal drugs seeped into his body, his executioners drew the viewing gallery curtains, concealing what the warden later described as "a bloody mess."

The botched execution of Clayton Lockett in April and other troubling ones this year in Ohio and Arizona gave capital punishment opponents a flicker of hope that areas of the U.S. that most enthusiastically support the death penalty might have a change of heart. They didn't.

Although Gov. Mary Fallin suspended further executions so that Lockett's death and Oklahoma's methods could be reviewed, the state held what amounted to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its overhauled death chamber only months later and is scheduled to resume killing inmates in mid-January. And rather than causing states to question whether capital punishment is just or worth the risk of subjecting someone to a potentially agonizing death, the prolonged executions and problems states have had securing lethal injection drugs have led them to explore new, old and more efficient ways of killing, including gassing inmates.

"I think we had a little flash of hope that it would help our cause, but all it did was generate a lot of conversation about it," said Lydia Polley, a longtime member of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. "It just led to people thinking of better ways to kill them."

Lockett's execution did little or nothing to dampen support for the death penalty in deeply conservative Oklahoma, which has killed more inmates than any other state except Texas since the 1976 reinstatement of the death penalty by the U.S. Supreme Court. In October, officials gave media tours of the renovated execution unit at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, which got a $104,000 overhaul after Lockett's death and now stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the shabby, 106-year-old facility.

Not content with just the upgrades to the prison and lethal injection equipment, though, Oklahoma's Republican-led House conducted a study on the use of nitrogen gas to execute inmates and is expected to consider legislation early next year that would make Oklahoma the first state to adopt hypoxia by gas — the forced deprivation of oxygen — as a legal execution method.

Other conservative states also are exploring alternatives to lethal injection because of the problems securing the drugs. U.S. states have had to buy made-to-order execution drugs from compounding pharmacies in recent years because the pharmaceutical companies they used to buy their drugs from refuse to sell them for use in lethal injections. Many of the pharmaceutical companies are based in Europe where opposition to the death penalty is strong.

Tennessee passed a law this year to reinstate the electric chair if it can't get lethal injection drugs and Utah is considering bringing back the firing squad.

Oklahoma has executed 194 inmates since achieving statehood in 1907, including one by hanging, 82 by electrocution and 111 by lethal injection, according to state prison records. But the use of the death penalty was common in the territory long before that. U.S. District Judge Isaac Parker, who operated out of nearby Fort Smith, earned a reputation as the "Hanging Judge" of the old West and presided over certain crimes committed in Indian territory.

"To me it's a reflection of our frontier culture," said Oklahoma historian Bob Blackburn. "Violence is a part of frontier culture, and vigilante justice has always been a strong element of our history."

Ralph Shortey, a Republican state senator from Oklahoma City who is pushing for Oklahoma to adopt alternative execution methods to lethal injection, estimates that 90 percent of his constituents strongly support the death penalty, despite what happened to Lockett.

"The average Oklahoman is saying he got exactly what he deserves," Shortey said. "A lot of people think they should suffer even more than they do. They think the lethal injection is too easy for them."

Oklahoma prison officials say they've secured the drugs they need to execute the next four inmates — the first is scheduled for Jan. 15 — unless a federal appeals court stands in their way. The inmates are trying to stop their executions, arguing that the state would essentially be experimenting on them by injecting them with unproven and untested drugs and violating the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

"Just because you say you've renovated the execution chamber, doesn't mean a judge will be satisfied that you've identified the problems and have a strong guarantee they won't happen again," said Richard Dieter, the director of the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington-based advocacy group that opposes capital punishment. "They may be optimistic about being able to go forward, but I think there are still a lot of questions out there."

-- (c) Associated Press 2014-12-28

[ukrules]

Those ISIS guys in Iraq and the surrounding areas don't seem to be having these problems with their simple knife to the kneck approach.

What's happening in the US is not so different in the end. They take a man who is living and murder him, it's as simple as that.

Which is worse ?

[NeverSure]

What the death penalty isn't:

1. A deterrent for others.

2. Primarily intended as punishment.

What the death penalty is:

1. An assurance to society that the perp won't do it again.

2. A statement by society that some crimes are too horrific to deserve life.

But 100K to renovate a room? Geez, a bullet costs 2 for a dollar.

[NeverSure]

Those ISIS guys in Iraq and the surrounding areas don't seem to be having these problems with their simple knife to the kneck approach.

What's happening in the US is not so different in the end. They take a man who is living and murder him, it's as simple as that.

Which is worse ?

I'm not going to debate you. Neither will win. It's as simple as that.

I agree to disagree.

[Boon Mee]

Why the support for the death penalty is as popular as it is:

[CMNightRider]

Those ISIS guys in Iraq and the surrounding areas don't seem to be having these problems with their simple knife to the kneck approach.

What's happening in the US is not so different in the end. They take a man who is living and murder him, it's as simple as that.

Which is worse ?

What??? Huh??? "It's as simple as that"???

Well, I would say there is a big difference, and it isn't as "simple as that," OMG!

Those jerk offs that belong to ISIS are murdering innocent people in the most despicable way possible. This may come as a shock to you but some people commit crimes so heinous that they shouldn't be allowed to be on this planet anymore. That is why there is a death penalty. It's as simple as that.

[Credo]

So much of it has to due with perspective. Those ISIS guys think the most heinous crime is to not honor Allah correctly. Other countries have a different idea on what constitutes heinous.

[Rionoir]

Kidnapping, rape and murder... nope, don't feel bad for him.

[Ulysses G.]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

[samran]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I'm of a similar view from a pragmatic way of thinking. More broadly I don't think humans have the right to take another humans life, which makes me uncomfortable with things like abortjon as well (but that is another topic).

From a pure vindictiveness perspective, I'd prefer the worst of the worst (rapists, murderers and child molesters) be thrown in and dark hole for a very long time. Where you are dead, you beyond anymore earthly punishment.

[craigt3365]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I've always thought life behind bars with NO possibility of parole would be worse than an execution. The latter is what some of these nut jobs want anyway. Plus, isn't it cheaper for incarceration versus the crazy legal costs for an execution?

[NeverSure]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

Have there been many cases where an innocent was put to death? I can think of some where an innocent was jailed pending the death penalty but was exonerated before execution or the sentence was commuted to life.

The average time on death row is about 15 years before someone is actually executed. In the interim there are many appeals. No one is executed before all possible appeals are exhausted.

[NeverSure]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I've always thought life behind bars with NO possibility of parole would be worse than an execution. The latter is what some of these nut jobs want anyway. Plus, isn't it cheaper for incarceration versus the crazy legal costs for an execution?

So, what would you recommend for one of those ISIS nutjobs if you had him on film executing civilians from your country? Would you want him locked up in one of your prisons for life with even a miniscule possibility he could kill a guard or even escape?

What message would that send to society?

Personally I'd volunteer to put the bullet in his head.

[Ulysses G.]

Have there been many cases where an innocent was put to death?

My guess is that there have been a number of them. DNA evidence has allowed the aquital and release of more than 17 death row inmates since 1992 in the USA, but DNA evidence is available in only a small number of capital cases and DNA evidence is a relatively new development.

The Death Penalty Information Center has published a list of 10 inmates who were executed but were possibly innocent and at least 39 executions are believed to have been carried out in America in the face of evidence of innocence or serious doubt about guilt.

About ISIS, they are murdering helpless civilians constantly and any of them could be shot as terrorists as far as I'm concerned.

[CMNightRider]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I've always thought life behind bars with NO possibility of parole would be worse than an execution. The latter is what some of these nut jobs want anyway. Plus, isn't it cheaper for incarceration versus the crazy legal costs for an execution?

If a person is doing life without in America vs the death penalty, the life without isn't that bad. These people receive better medical care that you and I, they have free housing, 24 hour security, three meals a day, access to a library and law library that most attorneys would be envious of, and have a choice to work or not work. They can even file frivolous lawsuits for extra money at the states expense.

[Ulysses G.]

3) Only someone a little backward supports the death penalty usually of a low IQ

Speaking of low IQ, that is a very ignorant statement that is not backed up by facts. A LOT of intelligent people support the death penalty.

SEN. KERRY: Of course. You have to respect the law. The law of the land is the law of the land, but I have also said that I am for the death penalty for terrorists because terrorists have declared war on your country. And just as I, in a war, was prepared to kill in defense of my nation, I also believe that you eliminate the enemy and I have said publicly that I support that.

http://prodpquotes.info/prodp/default/view/1620/Politicians-from-the-USA

[Bluespunk]

Kidnapping, rape and murder... nope, don't feel bad for him.

No one feels bad for him.

Still doesn't make the death penalty right.

[Bluespunk]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I've always thought life behind bars with NO possibility of parole would be worse than an execution. The latter is what some of these nut jobs want anyway. Plus, isn't it cheaper for incarceration versus the crazy legal costs for an execution?

So, what would you recommend for one of those ISIS nutjobs if you had him on film executing civilians from your country? Would you want him locked up in one of your prisons for life with even a miniscule possibility he could kill a guard or even escape?

What message would that send to society?

Personally I'd volunteer to put the bullet in his head.

Those nutjobs are entirely sure that what they are doing is right, justified and, according to the tenets of their warped view of religion, necessary.

They are of course wrong.

There is no justification for murder.

It is always wrong.

Even if it is dressed up as execution by the state

[lucifer666]

He was a rapist and a murderer. So he suffered during a botched death sentence,,,,Good. Maybe he felt some of the suffering he caused others. No sympathy.

[Ulysses G.]

Those nutjobs are entirely sure that what they are doing is right, justified and, according to the tenets of their warped view of religion, necessary.

Can't agree with that. Some might, but many are just losers using religion to justify violence that they desire anyway - especially the ones coming from the West.

[captspectre]

Those ISIS guys in Iraq and the surrounding areas don't seem to be having these problems with their simple knife to the kneck approach.

What's happening in the US is not so different in the end. They take a man who is living and murder him, it's as simple as that.

Which is worse ?

what is worse,? how about you being killed by the ass hole or your family being wiped out! murderers have to pay for their crimes, I am talking about people who kill other peaceful people who are just going about their lives.

[PoeDogg]

Liberal thought process….

Killing babies = Good

Killing convicted murderers = Bad

Mkay….

[Tchooptip]

What the death penalty isn't:

1. A deterrent for others.

2. Primarily intended as punishment.

What the death penalty is:

1. An assurance to society that the perp won't do it again.

2. A statement by society that some crimes are too horrific to deserve life.

But 100K to renovate a room? Geez, a bullet costs 2 for a dollar.

What the death penalty is not

An assurance to society that the perp person is not an innocent.

[bassman]

Those ISIS guys in Iraq and the surrounding areas don't seem to be having these problems with their simple knife to the kneck approach.

What's happening in the US is not so different in the end. They take a man who is living and murder him, it's as simple as that.

Which is worse ?

In your rush to American bash you really have made a very ignorant post. Comparing the way that the USA executes convicted murderers with ISIS who murders whoever/whenever by however.in the same breath makes you a real pinhead.

[CMNightRider]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

Have there been many cases where an innocent was put to death? I can think of some where an innocent was jailed pending the death penalty but was exonerated before execution or the sentence was commuted to life.

The average time on death row is about 15 years before someone is actually executed. In the interim there are many appeals. No one is executed before all possible appeals are exhausted.

1) Yes - however would you not agree one is too many ? Or are you of the view a few innocents executed is a price worth paying ? What if the one was your brother, father son ?

2) You are missing the bigger picture - if a death penalty was in force worldwide thousands of innocent people would have been put to death that received life sentences.

3) Only someone a little backward supports the death penalty usually of a low IQ

"Only someone a little backward supports the death penalty usually of a low IQ." I believe that statement may be projection on your part. Geeze, where do you people come from?

[Bluespunk]

Those nutjobs are entirely sure that what they are doing is right, justified and, according to the tenets of their warped view of religion, necessary.

Can't agree with that. Some might, but many are just losers using religion to justify violence that they desire anyway - especially the ones coming from the West.

I agree. Hence my use of "warped".

[Bluespunk]

Liberal thought process.

Killing babies = Good

Killing convicted murderers = Bad

Mkay.

Nonsense.

[CMNightRider]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

I'm of a similar view from a pragmatic way of thinking. More broadly I don't think humans have the right to take another humans life, which makes me uncomfortable with things like abortjon as well (but that is another topic).

From a pure vindictiveness perspective, I'd prefer the worst of the worst (rapists, murderers and child molesters) be thrown in and dark hole for a very long time. Where you are dead, you beyond anymore earthly punishment.

There are no dark holes in western prisons anymore. Doing time in America, compared to Russia, China, or some other communistic country is not that bad.

[Strangebrew]

Simple way to solve the death penalty issue If you feel if is cruel then prisoners that would get death you can pay for the cost to keep them alive the others don't pay. Can call it a life tax You opt for it each year paying taxes. If funds taken dosen't cover costs you get hit for difference And see how fast you change your mind on the issue. I would bet my last baht that they would change there tune in a heartbeat.

[poweratradio]

I could care less if the executions of violent criminals are unpleasant as long as there is not doubt that they are guilty. However, every so often the justice system makes a mistake and that makes me question the death penalty.

solitary confinement is the way to go. PERIOD. Let the perps live with themselves ONLY till the end.