High Court Will Hear Lethal Injection Case

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider the constitutionality of lethal injections in the case of two death row inmates from Kentucky.

The high court will hear a challenge from convicted killer Ralph Baze and fellow death row inmate Thomas Clyde Bowling Jr. The two inmates sued Kentucky in 2004, claiming lethal injection amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Baze's execution had been scheduled for Tuesday night, but the Kentucky Supreme Court halted the proceedings earlier this month.

"This is probably one of the most important cases in decades as it relates to the death penalty," said David Barron, the public defender who represents Baze and Bowling.

North Carolina's use of lethal injection has been tied up in the courts for months after the North Carolina Medical Board adopted a policy that threatened to revoke the medical licenses from physicians who participate in executions.

A judge last week ruled that the medical board had overstepped its authority and couldn't punish physicians for taking part in a state-sanctioned execution.

The Council of State, a nine-member board that includes Gov. Mike Easley and other statewide elected officials, is expected to discuss North Carolina's execution protocol next month. An administrative law judge ruled last month that the officials need to consider input from attorneys representing death-row inmates before adjusting the protocol to ensure condemned inmates don't suffer during executions.

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Latest Comments

"It is supposed to be about protecting society and that can be done without state-sanctioned killings." - HappyMom

I could live without the death penalty IF prisons were places of confinement, hard labor and and minimal life support. A sentence of life only means something if the system doesn't expend ridiculous amounts of resources to prolonging their lives. Prisoners get cable, '3 square', gyms, education and healthcare. End these exorbitant services to criminals and make prison HARD TIME and I'll support ending capital punishment. Until then, those that do not deserve these comforts need not drain taxpayers resources and live better than law abiding citizens.

Slip Kid
September 25, 2007 10:13 p.m.

It wouldn't matter if he or she is my son or daughter. That's why it is called justice and not revenge- it's not supposed to be about and "eye for an eye" (a phrase that is often taken out of context anyway). It is supposed to be about protecting society and that can be done without state-sanctioned killings.

happymom
September 25, 2007 7:43 p.m.

elcid89 - if one of my own did something bad enough to get the death penalty, then yes, I would still support it. I would think that if you raised your kids to respect and follow the law and understand the consequences, then you and they would know they have to take their due punishment. We are a society of the blameless now and it's sickening.

Slip Kid
September 25, 2007 7:30 p.m.

RedRocker said "How can it be right for our "justice" system to murder someone, and then turn around, stick their finger in our faces, and say "It's wrong to kill!" Red...google the definition of murder and you will be enlightened. The state state KILLS legally and I'm glad.

Winston
September 25, 2007 7:30 p.m.

" I have one question for those who are against the Death Pentaly, what if she had been your daughter?"

I have one question for those who support the death penalty: Would you support the execution of your child if he / she committed a crime which resulted in a sentence of death?