Nebraska recently held its first execution in 21 years, its first by lethal injection, and a first in history to use fentanyl. In an interesting turn of events, this drug, which has been at the center of America’s opioid epidemic, is now being used to execute prisoners in the very same prison which houses recovered opioid addicts.
Over the past 20 years, many states administering capital punishment have migrated away from electrocution towards lethal injection. In a step-by-step administration, prisoners are given a series of four drugs to relax (diazepam), lose consciousness (fentanyl), paralyze (cisatracurium), and then stop the heart (potassium chloride). However, prisons are finding it increasingly more difficult to obtain cisatracurium and potassium chloride.
The Death of the Death Penalty
Since Moore was sentenced in 1979, popular views on the death penalty have declined. In 1998, over 300 death sentences were handed down. In 2017, that number dropped to 39. Electrocution was seen to be cruel and unusual punishment, but now drug manufacturers do not want to be associated with lethal injection for the same reason.
Up Next, Nevada
Drug companies were able to successfully stay the Nevada execution of Scott Dozier. There, multiple drug companies filed a state lawsuit to stop prison companies from using its drugs in executions. The Nevada Supreme Court is expected to weigh in soon on this suit, and Dozier remains on death row.
Related Resources:
- Find a Criminal Defense Lawyer Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- Drug Makers Trying to Stay Out of the Death Penalty Business (FindLaw Blotter)
- Death Penalty Proposed for Drug Dealers: Is That Even Possible? (FindLaw Blotter)
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