NCJ Number
53869
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1979) Pages: 69-78
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE CONCEPT OF EXECUTION BY LETHAL INJECTION IS DISCUSSED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR ELECTROCUTION AS THE FAVORED METHOD OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Abstract
EXECUTION BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF VARIOUS DRUGS IN FATAL DOSAGES WAS STUDIED BY A BRITISH ROYAL COMMISSION IN THE 1950'S. IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FIRST PUBLICIZED CALL FOR THE POSSIBLE USE OF DRUG EXECUTIONS APPARENTLY WAS MADE IN 1973 IN CALIFORNIA. IN 1977, THE GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA SIGNED INTO LAW A MEASURE MAKING OKLAHOMA THE FIRST STATE TO INSTITUTE LETHAL INJECTION AS THE OFFICIAL METHOD OF EXECUTION. TEXAS AND FLORIDA FOLLOWED OKLAHOMA'S LEAD. THE FIRST LEGAL CHALLENGE TO EXECUTION BY LETHAL INJECTION WAS MADE BY GRANVIEL, A CONVICT IN TEXAS' DEATH ROW. HIS ATTORNEY SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH THAT THE LETHAL INJECTION TECHNIQUE WAS BOTH CRUEL AND UNUSUAL, BUT THE CASE WAS NOT SUPPORTED IN COURT. PERHAPS THE MOST DISTRESSING ASPECT OF LETHAL INJECTION IS ITS MEDICAL APPEARANCE AND ITS SUPPOSED HUMANENESS, BOTH OF WHICH INVITE WIDESPREAD USE. CASE LAW IS CITED. (DEP)