{ John Paul Stevens } Supreme Court Justice says horse died more humanely than death row prisoners

AP via KnoxNews ^ | 5/10/8

[SmithL]

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens says the euthanized Kentucky Derby horse Eight Belles probably died more humanely than death row prisoners do.

Stevens drew a round of applause for his comments Friday night in Chattanooga at the 68th conference of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The comments were reported in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

According to the newspaper, in brief remarks Stevens told the audience he checked into the procedure used to kill Eight Belles and was surprised to learn it is against the law in Kentucky to kill animals using one of the drugs in a three-drug lethal injection cocktail that many states, including Kentucky, use to execute prisoners.

The speech comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling that shot down a challenge to the three-drug lethal injection protocol by two Kentucky inmates. Stevens voted with the majority on the question of lethal injections but said for the first time that he now believes the death penalty is unconstitutional.

The conference drew almost 50 federal judges and more than 800 attorneys who practice in the 6th Circuit, which has jurisdiction in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.

Stevens presides over the appeals court his position on the Supreme Court.

[SmithL]

Boo Hoo! The horse had a productive life and didn't kill anyone.

[Drango]

Stevens needs to resign or be impeached.

[keving]

She probably killed less people too! Damn sore loser keep you mouth shut!

[GOPJ]

I have absolutely no problem running a serial killer to his death...

[murron]

The horse also died more humanely than the preborn babies who are aborted every day. And with more dignity.

[muawiyah]

Stevens is keeping his mind together just a little bit better than Jimmuh Kkkatuh, but not by much.

He should be outta' there!

[upsdriver]

I think Justice Stevens has something here. Run death row inmates until their legs break, then kill them.

[rlmorel]

If that is the case, we should probably kill the murderers the same way they killed the horse.

[Notwithstanding]

I am ashamed to admit that I got a little excited when I glanced at the headline contianing “John Paul Stevens”, “Supreme Court Justice” and “Died”

Anyone else experience this twinge of pre-mature glee?

[Fighter@heart]

No there’s a great idea!!! GIDDY-UP!!

[IronJack]

Then use the horse-killer on the prisoner.

[Notwithstanding]

MEGA DITTOES BUMP

[vetvetdoug]

As a veterinarian, I agree with Stevens. The use of succinylcholine in the human euthanasia procedure is cruel and inhumane. The person is paralyzed and cannot breathe yet is conscious. I think it would be more humane if they would euthanize the criminals with the same drugs we use on animals. The use of succinylcholine for euthanasia was prohibited by the veterinary profession almost thirty years ago. Stevens knows his drugs and procedures.

[Notwithstanding]

Well put. Concision and wit. Cheers!

[libstripper]

Subhumans do not deserve the humane treatment that’s properly reserved for decent, loving animals whose time has sadly come through no guilt of their own.

[Westlander]

Let’s just go back to strapping prisoners to the front of a cannon.

[Diogenesis]

Did these 3000 die more humanely, Mr. Defender-of-Terrorists-and-Murderers?

[weegee]

How does this compare to say partial birth abortion or the snuffing of a baby that manages to survive an abortion?

[upsdriver]

I prefer public hangings, as in the movie, HANG ‘EM HIGH.

[AmericanVictory]

Or when they inject them with poison in the latter stages of the pregnancy by the use of a super-long hypodermic needle?