Alabama halts execution because of time, IV access concerns

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/alabama-asks-us-supreme-court-carry-execution-90351401

ATMORE, Ala. -- Alabama officials called off the Thursday lethal injection of a man convicted in a 1999 workplace shooting because of time concerns and trouble accessing the inmate’s veins.

Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the state halted the scheduled execution of Alan Miller after they determined they could not get the lethal injection underway before a midnight deadline. Prison officials made the decision at about 11:30 p.m. The last-minute reprieve came nearly three hours after a divided U.S. Supreme Court had cleared the way for the execution to begin.

(snip)

Hamm said "accessing the veins was taking a little bit longer than we anticipated." He did not know how long the team tried to establish a connection, but noted there are a number of procedures to be done before the team begins trying to connect the IV line.

The aborted execution came after the state's July execution of Joe Nathan James took more than three hours to get underway after the state had difficulties establishing an intravenous line, leading to accusations that the execution was botched.

Other details:

* The court decision was 5-4, with Barrett joining Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson.
* The last-minute appeal regarded the question whether Miller had requested a different method of execution, which was within his right (SCOTUS determined he had not).

Abolish the death penalty.

[jmbar2]

1. I oppose the death penalty

but if they are gonna do it, why not just let them OD on fentanyl. There is certainly no lack of supply of it.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Miller's lawyers have filed a motion to photograph injuries he sustianed during the attempt.

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