Arkansas execution drugs intended for surgery, heart issues

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Kelly P. Kissel, Associated Press Updated 5:15 pm, Thursday, April 20, 2017



LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Despite numerous legal challenges that already have derailed two of eight executions planned for April, Arkansas has vowed to press ahead with plans to carry out executions Thursday and next week, before its supply of a key lethal injection drug expires.

Arkansas' death penalty protocol includes two drugs that are typically used in surgery and one that benefits cardiac patients.

A look at the drugs:

MIDAZOLAM

Midazolam, which Arkansas hasn't yet used in an execution, would be the first of the three drugs administered and would be used to sedate the inmate. Because the state's supply reaches its expiration date April 30, Arkansas scheduled eight executions before then.

At normal adult doses of around 4 mg for routine surgery, midazolam can slow or stop breathing to the point that medical literature advises doctors to monitor patients closely. With a 500 mg dose listed in the state's execution protocol, Arkansas expects that the inmates will not be aware they are dying.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Arkansas-execution-drugs-intended-for-surgery-11087721.php

[yodermon]

1. Why can't they just lock em in a room and pump carbon monoxide in

until they pass out & die? What's with all the drug drama?

[Warpy]

2. Because raging headaches and puking would be cruel and unusual

and they're an integral part of CO poisoning.

I don't know why they're so wedded to the 3 drug idea, it's really, really stupid. Along with that, midazolam is probably the worst sedative they could have decided on, it's duration of action is very short and there's so much futzing around at an execution that the victim is usually wide awake as he suffocates. Lovely.

An OD of fentanyl all by itself would do the job well but they're terrified their victim might have a moment of pleasure before he's knocked cold by it and then dies.