"South Dakota weighs execution change," is the title of John Hult's Sioux Falls Argus Leader report.
South Dakota is considering a change in its lethal injection protocol to allow for a single-drug execution after the Drug Enforcement Administration advised the state against using a recently purchased supply of a key drug.
The DEA on Sept. 23 told the state that the India-produced sodium thiopental could not be used because of concerns about its importation, Attorney General Marty Jackley said Tuesday.
The announcement comes days after lawyers for death row inmate Donald Moeller were told that the state will consider the creation of a one-drug injection protocol and finalize its decision by Saturday.
The DEA's move was one of many considerations as the state explores its options for execution in the face of a tightened supply of lethal injection drugs nationwide, Jackley said.
"If you look at the shortage of drugs, if you look at what's happened in other states, all of those are considerations," Jackley said.
The DEA took similar positions on foreign-purchased supplies of the barbiturate obtained by Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The AP filing is, "South Dakota may change lethal injection method after DEA raises concerns about drug supply," by Kristi Eaton. It's via the Republic.
South Dakota is considering changing its lethal injection procedure after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said it could not use its supply of a key ingredient in executions, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Tuesday.
The DEA notified the South Dakota Department of Corrections last month that it had concerns over the importation and use of sodium thiopental from a company based in Mumbai, India, Jackley said. The drug is part of a three-drug protocol used by South Dakota in its executions.
The DEA has been investigating whether several states properly registered with federal regulators before importing the sedative, which is no longer manufactured in the United States and is in scarce supply worldwide. Stockpiles of sodium thiopental were confiscated from a handful of states that use it in executions, including Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.
And:
Deborah Czuba, Moeller's attorney, questioned the quality of the sodium thiopental supply in her motion, saying it was ordered "from a ramshackle basement office in Mumbai, India."
She said the state did not research the background of the drug manufacturer and did not obtain instructions on how to use or store the drug.
Jackley said he is open to the DEA independently testing the drug supply, but said the state will not forfeit the supply without a hearing and appeal, if necessary.
A spokeswoman for the DEA did not respond to a message seeking comment.
"AG Voices Concern About Lethal Injection," at KDLT-TV.
A ruling from federal drug officials could put future executions in South Dakota on hold. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has informed the South Dakota Department of Corrections that one of it's lethal injection drugs cannot be used.
The South Dakota Department of Corrections uses a three drug cocktail to execute inmates in the state. One of those drugs is called sodium thiopental purchased from India. It's a drug the US Drug Enforcement Administration has concerns about.
KELO-TV reports, "State Finalizing One-Drug Lethal Injection Method," by Ben Dunsmoor.
Changes to South Dakota's lethal injection procedures were made in 2007 after Governor Mike Rounds delayed the execution of Elijah Page over fears that the use a three-drug lethal cocktail would violate state law. The legislature changed the law so Department of Corrections officials could create set their own lethal injection standards, and Page was executed a year later.
Earlier coverage of South Dakota lethal injection issues begins at the link.
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