Posted on 02/21/2006 5:27:44 AM PST by Brilliant
SAN QUENTIN, California (Reuters) - The execution of a California man who raped and murdered an 17-year-old girl was delayed for at least 15 hours early on Tuesday because two court-appointed anesthesiologists walked off the job over ethical concerns.
The doctors backed out when the language in an early-morning U.S. District Court ruling did not sufficiently allay their ethical concerns, San Quentin State prison spokesman Lt. Vernell Crittendon said.
They were on hand after a court said the state must ensure the condemned man, Michael Morales, was in fact unconscious before a lethal injection was administered, thereby minimizing the pain he might suffer.
A federal judge had ordered prison officials to have one present in a ruling that was roundly condemned by medical groups on ethical grounds.
The execution was reschedule for 7:30 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Crittendon said.
"The district court order that followed the publication of the Ninth Circuit opinion does not sufficiently allay our concerns. While we contemplated a positive role that might enable us to verify a humane execution protocol for Mr. Morales, what is being asked of us now is ethically unacceptable," said a statement from the doctors read by Crittendon.
It was not immediately clear what the language of the ruling was that upset the doctors.
Defense attorneys had claimed last week that the use of the lethal injection was cruel and unusual punishment, barred by the Constitution. This prompted a judge to order prison officials to either alter the composition of the lethal chemicals used or make medical experts available to ensure unnecessary pain was not inflicted during the execution.
But after the doctors walked out, the state decided it will pursue the other option and change the mix of chemicals used in the injection.
Morales, 46, was sentenced to death in 1983 for the murder and rape of Terri Winchell of Lodi, California.
The execution was delayed three times late Monday and early Tuesday, the first time when Crittendon said the execution was delayed an hour so the prison warden could review the execution process with the anesthesiologist.
Two last-minute appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution failed late on Monday.
In a statement last week, Dr. Priscilla Ray, chairwoman of the American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, condemned the ruling that required the anesthesiologists present.
"The use of a physician's clinical skill and judgment for purposes other than promoting an individual's health and welfare undermines a basic ethical foundation of medicine -- first do no harm," she said. "Requiring physicians to be involved in executions violates their oath to protect lives."
What do you mean?
I agree. How come the Liberal Media always fails to mention what these murderers have done to their victims? We are always shown a meek, defenseless Convict hundling in his cell begging for his life so that the public feels sympathy for these killers. The only thing that is cruel and unusual in this case was the beating, rape and murder of this poor girl.
This guy deserves no mercy. Let justice be served.
You spelled morals as "morales", which is the perp's last name.
The anesthesiologists have no case. They participate in prison abortions.
Pro street justice BTTT.....
Being the brother of a murdered sister and an individual with a good medical background, I have the inclination and the knowledge to put the needle in the arm. Squantos, make sure its sterile, don't want to cause an infection.
These pissants(no offense to FR's own...)!! You don't want the victim to feel anything after he rapes and murders a 17 year old?? A bullet to the back of his head would be quick and pain free....
That is exactly what I thought when I heard this today on the radio...they couldn't do it based on ethics, but yet I'm sure they have no problem with abortions. Sick.
I totally missed that!
:))
Although not legal, someone should have taken him out in 1983.
20-25. Hmmm.. that is about 10X the number of convicted murderers that have been put to sleep in California.
I SO want to set up some kind of fund so that activist judges and do-gooders like these docs will get a sex offender living right next to them and their children.
postponed indefinately - per KFI
execution delayed, hearing in May.. too many issues have arisen.. what a mess.
The beginning of the end for excecutions in California I'm afraid.
"20-25. Hmmm.. that is about 10X the number of convicted murderers that have been put to sleep in California."
And that has what to do with anything?
I can hardly believe that ALL doctors do not believe in capital punshment. I find it a bit suspicious that the doctors that the state is bringing in just happen to be all against capital punishment. It's a way around the law and they know it.
The left was not at all concerned about pain and suffering when they imposed a death sentence on Terry Schiavo. They run around like mad-headless hens when anyone suggests that a baby suffers pain during abortion.
They the same lying hypocrites feign concern over the pain that execution brings upon a condemned person.
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