TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Suzanne Craig Robertson on Apr 29, 2015

The U.S. Supreme Court today heard a challenge to Oklahoma’s execution protocol over the plea of death row inmates to outlaw the sedative midazolam. During the session, several justices gave voice to larger concerns. "There are other ways to kill people, regrettably, that are painless," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. Justice Antonin Scalia said more effective drugs have been "rendered unavailable by the abolitionist movement." Justice Samuel Alito referred to a "guerrilla war" against executions by death penalty opponents working to limit the supply of more effective drugs. SCOTUSBlog offers an analysis.