"Federal judge urges state to delay executions," is by Ziva Branstetter of the Tulsa World. Here's an extended excerpt from the beginning:
A federal judge strongly urged state officials to delay three upcoming executions, noting the state is running out of time to improve its execution process before then.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot also denied a request by the state to stay proceedings in a federal lawsuit filed by 21 death-row inmates challenging Oklahoma's execution protocol.
The hearing was held before Friot in the Western District of federal court in Oklahoma City on Thursday. The plaintiffs who filed the suit include three inmates with upcoming execution dates beginning Nov. 13.
"If there's one thing that ought to be controlled in this case, it's timing," Friot told attorneys for the state.
He said if state policy makers did not seek a delay of the upcoming executions, "the plaintiffs are at liberty to file a motion for preliminary injunction, which I hope won't be necessary."
"Judge doubts Oklahoma ready for Nov. 13 execution; suggests delay," is the Associated Press coverage, via KOCO-TV.
A federal judge says he is concerned Oklahoma won't be able to give its execution team more training before three inmates are scheduled to go to the death chamber this fall.
Oklahoma recently said it would revamp its execution procedures and retrain its staff after condemned inmate Clayton Lockett took 43 minutes to die in April.
But 21 death row inmates said in a lawsuit that they still fear their executions could be cruel and violate their constitutional rights.
Earlier coverage from Oklahoma begins at the link.
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