Executing the Execution

Feb 10 2007 7:47AM

North Dakota hasn’t executed anyone since the very early 20th century. We ought to leave execution in the past (for many reason, including moral and fiscal), but now new reasons have been brought to light.

CNN: In December, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush suspended executions after Angel Nieves Diaz required a second dose of lethal chemicals and took twice as long as inmates usually take to die. The drugs were mistakenly injected into his tissue instead of his veins.

Executions also are halted in Missouri, California and North Carolina because of lethal injection concerns.

Lethal injection can no longer be counted on to be a dignified way to kill a convicted person. North Dakota should not allow any lethal injection (or other style execution) to occur within its borders, federal or no. We’ve kept the peace here for near 100 years without killing a convict. We can continue to put our faith in a death-free criminal system in the future as well.