Supreme Court Considers Lethal Injection

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in a challenge to the state of Kentucky's lethal injection practices in carrying out capital punishment. Two Kentucky death row inmates allege that the state's "three-drug protocol" method carries too much risk of inflicting excruciating pain and amounts to "cruel and unusual punishment" under the Eighth Amendment. According to the Washington Post, "those objecting to the [three drug] process said it would be better to inject inmates with a single, massive dose of barbiturates, the way animals are euthanized." The Los Angeles Times reports that "in their comments and questions, most of the justices said they were not convinced Kentucky's method was flawed." The Court is expected to issue a ruling in the case before recessing at the end of June.

• Associated Press: Excerpts from Lethal Injection Arguments
• Washington Post: Lethal Injection Ruling May Have to Wait
• LA Times: Justices Seem Unswayed by Lethal Injection Foes
• Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty (FindLaw)
• Cruel and Unusual Punishment (FindLaw)