Posted on 01/24/2006 3:25:24 PM PST by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO - Like so many other administrative complaints made by California prisoners, the one filed by Michael Angelo Morales this month is squeezed onto a one-page prison form.
But Morales' message sounds an unusual note of urgency: "My execution by lethal injection is imminent and will be a cruel and unusual form of punishment."
Morales has a Feb. 21 date in the death chamber for the rape and murder of a teenage girl in Lodi. In a neat script he explains his "grave concerns."
He fears that pancuronium bromide, the second of three drugs administered in executions by California and 26 other states - yet banned by the American Veterinary Medical Association in euthanizing animals - will leave him conscious of torturous pain but paralyzed and unable to cry out.
The issue has potential for postponing Morales' death and altering California executions. State lawyers have been directed to explain why they consider the paralyzing drug necessary in a federal court hearing Thursday in San Jose.
The lawyers, citing an opinion by Dr. Mark Dershwitz, contend in a brief filed Monday that "over 99.999999999999 percent of the population would be unconscious within 60 seconds" of receiving the first of three drugs, a five-gram dose of the sedative sodium pentothal, administered before the pancuronium bromide.
According to the prosecution brief, the lawyers also will challenge whether it's the court's function to suggest a "more humane or medically acceptable execution protocol."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Fine then! Replace the pancuronium bromide with Drano.
On the contrary. Do away with the needle and bring back the rope.
GRAVE concerns indeed
Firing squad, please.
Then STFU and take your medicine like a man!
I guess anything faster than dying of old age is unacceptable to these people.
He's a wuss. But aren't most of these "tough guys" when crunch time arrives? I'll bet the girl he raped and murdered had "grave concerns" about what he was doing.
If the problem is with lethal injection, why did he choose it? He could have opted for the gas chamber. I believe they get a choice.
Bummer.
Can't do the time, don't do the crime.
so 1 in 99 TRILLION! people would feet it? Something tells me the 9th circus is going to eat this cr@p hook, line and sinker.
I wish the whole 'cruel and unusual punishment' argument could be thrown out. The more cruel and unusual, the more of a deterrent it would be. Did this scum grant his victim the same, doubt it.
Nothing unusual about it, as has happened in the last few weeks, lethal injection is how death row convicts are executed - ask Tookie.
Okey dokey, then how about an eye for an eye. Let him die just like his victim did.
"Appeals seek to alter death penalty"
Perhaps they'd settle for a "serious injury" penalty.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Bullet to the brain would be fine. Guillotine even better.
I think they actually get a choice. I remember seeing that somewhere. I'll have to google it.
California Provides that lethal injection be administered unless the inmate requests lethal gas.
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