"Lawmakers call for lethal injection review," is the Lincoln Journal Star report by Kevin O'Hanlon.
As Nebraska faces mounting problems with one of its lethal injection drugs, some key lawmakers say it is time to re-examine the state's execution protocol.
"That's something we are going to have to look at," said Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
At issue is Nebraska's three-drug protocol, which was set by the Department of Correctional Services after lawmakers switched to lethal injection from the electric chair in 2009.
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Nebraska's protocol could be changed, but not without some effort. It was formulated by prison officials and vetted through a series of public hearings. The final rules were reviewed by the attorney general and approved by the governor.
Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he worries that changing the protocol would only open the door to more legal challenges.
"You can be sure that a new protocol will start the litigation all over again and cause further delays while the victim’s families sit and wait and we continue to spend tax dollars on attorneys who do this type of litigation," Lathrop said.
"The big issue with the protocol is whether it is a humane way to kill someone. The current protocol essentially puts someone to sleep, then the other drugs stop their breathing and heart. A one-drug shot in the arm may not work the same way."
Meanwhile, Berger said, Nebraska's lethal injection woes might present a good opportunity for the state to reconsider capital punishment altogether.
"It has been far more difficult and expensive for Nebraska to design and implement a viable lethal injection procedure than the state anticipated when it predicted adopting lethal injection would have 'no fiscal impact.'" Berger said. "At the very least, the state should be honest to its citizens that capital punishment is expensive for taxpayers and that its advantages are highly speculative."
Because of legal challenges, only three men have been put to death since Nebraska resumed executions in 1994 after a 35-year hiatus: Harold Otey, Robert Williams and John Joubert.
"Neb. lawmakers want fresh look at execution method," is the AP filing, via the Beatrice Daily Sun.
Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford told the Lincoln Journal Star that if there are problems with Nebraska's method of execution, then lawmakers are obligated to re-examine it.
"If any system was this dysfunctional anywhere else in state government, we would have a committee, we would have a commission, we would have subpoena power and we'd do all sorts of things," said Ashford, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, which considers measures related to the courts. "But because it's the death penalty, there is a reticence to look closely at it. I think we should. I think it's our obligation."
Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, another committee member, agreed. He told the newspaper he'd be willing to take another look at the protocol approved in 2010, after the state changed its method of execution from electrocution to lethal injection.
Earlier coverage of Nebraska lethal injection issues begins at the link.
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