The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Death row inmates sue to halt execution spree

Arkansas death row inmates (L-R, top) Don William Davis, Stacey Eugene Johnson, Jack Harold Jones and Ledelle Lee; (L-R, bottom) Jason F. McGehee, Bruce Earl Ward, Kenneth D. Williams and Marcel W. Williams

The state's Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson has stirred intense controversy since announcing the executions of eight men in 10 days, citing shortages of a drug used in lethal injections.

The inmates said the accelerated schedule did not give them enough time to prepare their appeals, adding that the shortened timeframe violated Arkansas rules.

"Each plaintiff named in this suit has suffered irreparable injury on account of the frantic execution schedule sought by the state," six of the eight men concerned wrote in their complaint.

"Not only has Arkansas's rush to execute eight plaintiffs over the course of ten days forced the state to violate its own mandatory procedures for clemency review, but it has necessarily undermined each plaintiff's individual opportunity to advocate for mercy."

ADVERTISEMENT

The eighth amendment of the US Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Death penalty critics have condemned the executions, noting that Arkansas has not conducted a single execution since 2005.

The accelerated schedule comes amid a shortage of death penalty drugs across the United States, with Arkansas's stock of midazolam, a sedative used to anesthetize inmates, nearing its expiration date.

The inmates also complained about the state's drug protocol, saying midazolam does not make recipients sufficiently unconscious, meaning they suffer extreme pain.

Under the governor's plan, two of the inmates would be put to death on April 17, two on April 20, two on April 24 and another pair on April 27.

ADVERTISEMENT

No single US state has held eight executions in 10 days since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT