Study: Inmates suffer during lethal injections

Houston Chronicle ^ | April 14, 2005 | ERIC BERGER

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Okay, let's get rid of lethal injection. Killers should be executed in the fashion that they killed their victims. Works for me!

[RipSawyer]

"If it's going to be done - why not just triple, or quadruple the dose of the sedative then and kill them by overdose? Isn't that what they do for pets (or something like it)?"

As the rednecks say," that would be too damn simple".

[ladyrustic]

Just strap the condemned in a chair and drop a big rock on his head from twenty feet up.

Or a bullet to back of head when not expecting it- even more humane...

[Jim Noble]

Think lethal injections. . .up close and personal; damages the 'executioner'. . .ie. . .our own humanity, as well.

Yes, by mimicry of a medical procedure, i.e., one meant to help, it perverts the skills of the executioners.

During debates on doctors and capital punishment, I've always said that I would pull the switch, or pull the trigger, but I would NEVER use my special skills to cannulate a vein and administer a lethal injection.

Execution should be done by a method that any of us could do, because the executioner is acting symbolically on behalf of all of us.

[wita]

AMEN! ...and if I'm not mistaken the changes in what was and was not allowed for execution means was driven by the same issue in question on this post, what is and isn't cruel and unusual. Now you talk about cruel and unusual. I always thought the gas chamber was a good one. Do I breath or don't I , how long can I hold my breath? Meanwhile that cyanide is pouring out of the pot.

Then again the threat of "The Chair" maybe caused some people to contemplate before they did violence on their fellow man. Who knows, who cares, Each state must have the right to execute theirs as they see fit in any way they like including the so recently recognized and approved by the State of FL, "way to Euphoria".

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[demkicker]

Clearly, we need to starve them to death. No suffering; just euphoria.

I really wish a conservative would submit a bill suggesting the same thing. After all they would die such a serene and peacefull death.

[Hardastarboard]

Yet, some death penalty critics say poorly trained executioners — most have no formal anesthesia training — could miss a vein or otherwise err in administering a dose. The anesthetic also could wear off during a prolonged execution, which typically last at least 8 minutes.

OK, clearly the reporter didn't do their research here. First off, I grew up in the '60's man, so I'm a drug expert. Ever heard of "skin popping"? It reduces the efficacy and immediacy of the drug effect, but it DOES still work. Secondly, a lethal or even near lethal dose of any kind of barbiturate (sodium pentothial) won't wear off in just eight minutes. No medicine that I am aware of wears off in just eight minutes.

Can you say agenda, boys and girls? Or shall we just pronounce it "ignorance"? Take your pick.

[ContraryMary]

Koniaris, who says he does not oppose the death penalty, thinks the study warrants a moratorium on executions until a publicly appointed panel can review whether some inmates remain conscious during lethal injection.

Why don't they just increase the dosage of anesthetic? They certainly can't be concerned about giving them a lethal dose.

[Fire_on_High]

That's my understanding of it...massive overdose of anasthetic. I've also never seen anything but them simply slumping over dead after a few seconds at most, and I've been with several pets when they were put to sleep. That's entirely too kind for rapists, murderers, etc. I'm thinking strap em down, give em the potassium, and let em spend their last few minutes howling.

[ContraryMary]

To worry that the person who has caused terrible pain and harm and likely death to another person or persons may feel a teensy bit of pain during the execution of a death sentence is so egregiously stupid, asinine, wrongly directed compassion that I can hardly keep my dinner down.

It probably is just a ploy to eradicate any executions.

That assessment is right on.

[Route101]

...We were asking: Is there a possibility of awareness during an execution? Is there a large degree of pain and suffering associated with it? And I think the answer we found is yes."....You might wonder the same for their victims.......

[Hatteras]

"...four of every 10 prisoners..."

Only 4 in 10? C'mon fellas, we can do better than that!

[thombo]

"Why not just triple or quadruple,the dose of the sedative?"That idea occured to me as well,but i'm not a highly trained MD.What do i know?:)

[Siamese Princess]

"Lethal injection represents the most humane possible means of punishing a brutal, heinous murderer," said Andy Kahan, Mayor Bill White's advocate for crime victims "Whether or not it is painful, one thing is for sure, it is certainly less painful than the excruciating and horrific death that the victim suffered at the hand of the defendant."

That's an excellent point. People are no longer executed for petty theft but only for the most horrible crimes: mass murder, murder-rape, murder-robbery, etc. The victims suffered terribly, in fear and probably agony, every second feeling like minute, a minute feeling like an hour. Blubbering over brutal killers is typical of the twisted "compassion" for the bad and indifference to the innocent that is so pervasive in this country in so many different ways.

A good stout piece of rope is good enough for a killer.

[Route101]

Hang 'em...hang 'em high.......

[Blogatron]

Ya here that, Mumia?

[FierceKulak]

not enough

[nmh]

I'd HATE to know how their VICTIMS suffered.

Imagine what Laci Peterson went through.

Somehow I am unconcerned if they "suffered". It takes allot to EARN capital punishment.

[metesky]

Study: Inmates suffer during lethal injections

Good.