Thursday 24 July 2008

Lawsuit challenges Missouri’s lethal injection


Lawsuit challenges Missouri’s lethal injection

ST. LOUIS | Inmates, families, clergy and legislators are initiating a new civil action that challenges Missouri’s method of lethal injection, claiming it violates the state’s Administrative Procedure Act.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Cole County, is on behalf of 13 of the 14 condemned prisoners for whom the state is seeking execution dates, including a man that could be executed in less than two months.

It says the Missouri Department of Corrections did not comply with requirements to provide notice and invite public comments on the protocol, nor did it advise a legislative rules committee.

The Missouri Supreme Court announced Tuesday it would issue a warrant to execute convicted killer John Middleton on Sept. 17th. It would be the state’s first execution since 2005.


| The Associated Press

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/718473.html

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