State of Executions

[Leesagunns]

As I am sure most of you have seen in the news lately the great state we live in has made the news internationally for using a drug that is normally used to on animals to euthanize to execute a man on death row. Here is a link to the story for those who haven't yet heard about this or haven't heard much:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BG0IM20101217


Just for the sake of a interesting discussion, is this a proper alternative? Shoud the execution have been stayed until the drug that is normally used been obtained? Could this give others on death row a way to fight and/or prolong their execution? Would opinion of the use of this drug been different had it not worked the way it did or was supposed and in turn caused undue suffering? Would the family of the inmate then have legal recourse with the state for using this drug and causing undue suffering? Not that you have to really answer any of these questions, as they are just the ones that popped into my head when I saw the story. Just wondering really what everyone else thought as well.

 

[GlockCop]

From the article:

"... including pentobarbital, a drug used in euthanasia of animals as well as a sedative for humans. He said it was its first use in a U.S. execution and replaced sodium thiopental, a sedative that was in short supply." (emphasis added)

I don't see a problem here.

 

[HiredHand]

From the article:

"... including pentobarbital, a drug used in euthanasia of animals as well as a sedative for humans. He said it was its first use in a U.S. execution and replaced sodium thiopental, a sedative that was in short supply." (emphasis added)

I don't see a problem here.

I don't either.

 

[RWS]

if it kills em quickly and efficiently, go for it. matter of fact, how much does it cost? they should use the cheapest means available. i have no problem with a rope, it could be used over and over.

 

[Glocktogo]

Ditto.

 

[cowboydoc]

Both are barbiturate sedative/anesthetics. Same mechanism of action.

Pentobarbital is used every day to humanely euthanize animals and is inexpensive. No problem that I can see. I am glad to see that the courts used some common sense in allowing this substitution.

 

[Leesagunns]

if it kills em quickly and efficiently, go for it. matter of fact, how much does it cost? they should use the cheapest means available. i have no problem with a rope, it could be used over and over.

We could do what some countries do and charge the family of the executed for the cost of having to execute them in the first place. Think of the beauty behind that logic, not only are you taking someone out that isn't of much use anyway your punishing the family for not teaching them any better in the first place....

 

[348]

Dead is dead, right? Why argue semantics? Different drug, same result.

 

[RETOKSQUID]

Used to put down animals by vets every day in this country, see no difference with the Oklahoma DOC using it to put down animals here. If it were up to me they would use Drano on some of the deserving animals we have in the DOC.

 

[RWS]

actually, if it was up to me i wouldnt even use the rope. maybe go ahead and lock em up when convicted, just dont waste money on food, heat, water, etc. shut the door, come back in a month or 2 and clean the room. or 22 to the temple is pretty cheap. or maybe just lock em in a room with the victims family. but you know, they gotta be all "humane"