Board to Appeal Ruling Over Docs' Role in Executions

The N.C. Medical Board will appeal a ruling that says it cannot discipline doctors for participating in prison executions.

Thom Mansfield, an attorney with the board, said Thursday that the board decided to file an appeal after holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the case.

A statement from the N.C. Medical Board said "after thoughtful deliberation, the Board determined that the principle that physicians should not take an active role in judicial executions is a principle that should not be abandoned."

Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens ruled on Sept. 19 that executions don't fall under the scope of activity the medical board can govern because they are not considered medical procedures.

Stephens also said the General Assembly is responsible for establishing rules regarding physician activities, and medical board policies can't trump state law.

"Although the current effort by the medical board to prohibit physician participation in executions may well be viewed as humane and noble, such a decision rests entirely with representatives elected by the citizens of this state," Stephens wrote in his ruling. "As of this date, the legislature has taken no such action."

Because of the medical board conflict and other legal issues, the Department of Correction has put several executions on hold.

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Latest Comments

this medical board needs to be fired for pure waste of our taxpayer dollars used to fight this legal mess.

ProzacDispenser
October 18, 2007 11:37 p.m.

I guess this means the medical board will discipline any doctor that performs abortions as well.

atozca
October 18, 2007 7:55 p.m.

The problem we have with the executions is that we want to coddle the criminal - we want to make sure he/she has a pleasant time in prison, gets good food, plenty of exercise, continuing education, frequent visits, a little spending money, cable TV with the movie channels, air conditioning, fresh air, a good mattress with nice blankets and a good pillow, security for his/her personal effects, privacy, soap, toothbrush, good medical and dental - I could go on and on and on. But many hard working law abiding citizens don't have all this - they pay their taxes but cannot afford some of the things we deem are the bare necessities of a convicted murderer/felon. So we think that if a person is sentenced to death it must be painless, comfortable, actually an enjoyable event - or it is "not fair" or is "cruel" or "unusual". I believe it is time to go back to public hangings, firing squads, the gas chamber and the electric chair - all without the need of any medical doctor.

Tax Man
October 18, 2007 6:19 p.m.

WRAL, why can't we comment on the killing in Rocky Mount?

pingman
October 18, 2007 5:59 p.m.

and on the same day this story shows up, an idiot runs up to someone in rocky Mount, and for appearantly no reason, stabs her to death! Thought's and Prayers go out to her family, and notice to the people responsible for not allowing justice to be served......We're keeping an eye on you, and the consequences of your decisions!