2008 Woodie Awards
Lethal injection unsuitable for animals, humans
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: State
ELYRIA, Ohio - An anesthesiologist testified yesterday that Ohio's lethal injection procedure isn't appropriate for dogs or cats, let alone humans.
Dr. Mark Heath's testimony on behalf of two murder defendants came in a Lorain County hearing on the constitutionality of state's method for putting prisoners to death.
Heath, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Columbia University, says it's possible to perform lethal injection of prisoners in a humane manner, but that Ohio's method falls below the standard for euthanizing household pets.
Ohio requires its executions to be carried out "in a professional, humane, sensitive and dignified manner."
Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Tony Cillo questioned whether Heath should be considered an expert on Ohio's lethal injection procedure. Cillo said that not all capital punishment states have a similar process.
Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge overruled Cillo's objection.
Ruben Rivera and Ronald McCloud are challenging the lethal injection method, saying the drugs don't give the quick and painless deaths required by law. Each could receive death sentences if convicted in separate murders in Lorain County.
Lethal injections are on hold nationally while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge in a case from Kentucky.
Dr. Mark Heath's testimony on behalf of two murder defendants came in a Lorain County hearing on the constitutionality of state's method for putting prisoners to death.
Heath, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Columbia University, says it's possible to perform lethal injection of prisoners in a humane manner, but that Ohio's method falls below the standard for euthanizing household pets.
Ohio requires its executions to be carried out "in a professional, humane, sensitive and dignified manner."
Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Tony Cillo questioned whether Heath should be considered an expert on Ohio's lethal injection procedure. Cillo said that not all capital punishment states have a similar process.
Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge overruled Cillo's objection.
Ruben Rivera and Ronald McCloud are challenging the lethal injection method, saying the drugs don't give the quick and painless deaths required by law. Each could receive death sentences if convicted in separate murders in Lorain County.
Lethal injections are on hold nationally while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge in a case from Kentucky.
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