Tuesday, 04/03/07

Prison officials want input on new death penalty process

Sheila Burke

Prison officials are in the process of changing the way inmates are put to death in Tennessee and the public is invited to a public hearing to give its input on the new process.

Doctors and lawyers who represent the condemned are among a number of speakers invited to attend the public hearing Thursday.
Issues such as medical monitoring, staff training and preparation of drugs used for lethal injection will be among the topics.

On Feb. 1, Gov. Phil Bredesen issued an executive order putting a 90-day halt to all executions in Tennessee so the state could come up with new execution protocols.
The meeting will be at 3 p.m. at the multimedia room in the Tennessee Snodgrass Tower, 312 8th Ave. N.