TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Brittany Sims on Jan 29, 2015

In a one-sentence order, the Supreme Court yesterday granted a stay of execution to three inmates who had challenged Oklahoma's use of the drug midazolam as a part of its lethal injection protocol, WCYB reports. The inmates, all convicted murderers, contend that Oklahoma’s planned use of midazolam could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishments. The sedative failed in the state’s bungled execution last April of Clayton Lockett, who awoke and apparently writhed in pain before dying of a heart attack 43 minutes after being injected. Arguments are scheduled for April 29, with a decision expected before July, the Wall Street Journal reports.