Justice Elena Kagan's first vote is against an execution (a 5/4 ruling)

[jefferson_dem]

Justice Elena Kagan's first vote is against an execution

The newest member of the Supreme Court is in the minority in backing a stay of execution over questions about the safety of a drug to be used in a lethal injection. Shortly after the stay was overturned Tuesday, Arizona executed Jeffrey Landrigan.

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By David G. Savage, Tribune Washington Bureau

October 27, 2010|9:21 a.m.

WASHINGTON — Justice Elena Kagan cast her first vote on the Supreme Court late Tuesday, joining the liberals in dissent when the high court cleared the way for the execution of an Arizona murderer.

The 5-4 ruling overturned orders by a federal judge in Phoenix and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that had stopped the execution by lethal injection of Jeffrey Landrigan.

His lawyers, in a last-ditch appeal, had raised questions about one of the drugs used in the execution. Since the only U.S. manufacturer of sodium thiopental had suspended production, Arizona officials said they had obtained a supply of the drug from a British company.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1028-court-execution-20101027,0,5707237.story

[leftynyc]

1. Thank you Justice Kagan

I know she was in the minority but it's nice to see this kind of vote. Kennedy is always going to vote for state murder.

[thereismore]

2. Thank you. nt

[polmaven]

3. While I'm in complete agreement

with Justice Kagan's vote, (I am absolutely opposed to ALL murder, state sponsored or otherwise) I'm a little confused about how a drug used specifically to kill someone can be deemed to be unsafe. :shrug:

[Recursion]

4. It's crazy. Just like how they sterilize the injection point.

We're pretending we're not really doing what we're really doing.

[great white snark]

5. Thank you Madame Justice.

:applause:

[vaberella]

6. She's coming through..like I knew she would. Thanks.

Now if we get a few of the other clowns out, life would be great.