Why have 36 states clung to a method of using 3 chemicals to execute prisoners?

Star Tribune ^ | January 2, 2008 | ADAM LIPTAK

[Sopater]

"If you change," Denno said, "you're admitting there was something wrong with the prior method. All those people you were executing, you could have been doing it in a better, more humane way."

If it works there's probably nothing wrong with the current method. I'd put a complaint box in the room, and if the prisoner has an uncomfortable execution, he can fill out a complaint form and put it in the box.

[MoMagic]

Why indeed? A .45 to the back of the head works every time without fail. Cheaper.

[Sgt_Schultze]

I prefer an "elemental" solution.

Pb

[IMissPresidentReagan]

We could always go back to hanging in the public square....we all know the founding fathers didn’t find that to be cruel and unusual. Hopefully the relatively “new” Supreme Court will do away with much of the Brandies mandated “balancing” tests relating to the death penalty, the Establishment Clause, the Freedom of Religion Clause, etc. I doubt it; but hey why not dream :D

[JRios1968]

A proven method:

[randog]

It doesn’t matter how they die, the real penalty is the wait. If we wanted to be humane we’d drug their dinner one random night and kill them in their sleep.

[Santa Fe_Conservative]

Weird just watched this on Law & Order last night about a women using the same chemicals on a right to die case. The lady involved in the right to die opposed the death penalty but still gave her sucidial patients the chemicals anyways.

[MarkT]

I have had general anesthesia several times. Painless - I just went to sleep - use those drugs to get the perp sedated and unconscious, then use the deadly stuff. No pain, no fuss, no problem.

[IMissPresidentReagan]

I saw that episode. I gotta say I really miss the guy who played Adam being DA or Fred Thompson being DA. I liked it better when Sam Watterston’s character was being smacked about by the head guy in charge. haha.

BTW did you hear the snide little throw-off on Fred? “This office isn’t a showroom anymore it’s a work room.” I by no means am an avid “Fred-head” but that comment just got under my skin.

It reminded me why I quit Law and Order after Jerry Orbach (I know I misspelled it :( ) left, and then passed away. I hate the Jack McCoy character, and ugh it’s awful now he’s the DA!

[MoMagic]

If we wanted to be humane we’d drug their dinner one random night and kill them in their sleep.

If we were wanting justice, we'd invite the surviving relatives into a room and ask them what they want done -- give them 5 minutes to get it done.

[wideminded]

The one time I have witnessed the euthanasia of an older pet, the process was extremely rapid and I do not believe the animal could have felt any pain. I don’t understand why three chemicals are needed for human executions.

[toddlintown]

Try lead poisoning.

[AU72]

Why not bring back the gas chamber and fill it with nitrogen? The perp would black out in seconds and check out 7 minutes later.

[al baby]

yes and its very handy in the kitchen too

[Truth29]

Yes, I’ve often wondered why we don’t consider the guillotine. Is it the “image” problem?

[JRios1968]

It slices, it dices!

[Phantom Lord]

Why use 3 chemicals when you can use 1 bullet.

[redstateconfidential]

If we want to really have justice, let the coldblooded killers be dispatched in a way similar to the crime, ie..child molesters and rapist-killers, throw them in a cage with a viagra enhanced deviant gorilla. Wow, after that was televised a few times I bet the rape and molestation cases would drop about 110%.

[G.Mason]

"Why have 36 states clung to a method of using 3 chemicals to execute prisoners?"

1) ... So the pharmaceutical companies will make a profit.

2) ... Rope made in China has too much lead.

3) ... Shooting them increases their carbon footprint.

4) ... One may not be enough, and four may be too much.

5) ... So they won't know which one will kill them.

6) ... George Bush.

7) ... To keep Huckabee from pardoning them.

8) ... They have a ten year supply of chemicals left.

9) ... The executioners are afraid of electricity.

10) ... To see if the coroner knows his suff.

[ModelBreaker]

If they give up on the current method without being forced to, something will be wrong with the replacement and they will be forced to give it up, ad infinitum.