Executions: Judge Says Use Bullets, Banzhaf Says Use Pills / Firing Squads Are "Foolproof" But "Brutal," Says Federal Judge
Summary
Washington, DC, July 28, 2014 --( Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals suggested that using a firing squad would be the "most promising" method, in large part because its "foolproof" although “brutal” nature of always resulting in death would mean the end of botched executions."If this method is appropriate and permissible for totally innocent elderly persons simply seeking death with dignity, it should be good enough for condemned murderers," Banzhaf argues.If the prisoner refuses to take the pills, or only pretends to swallow them, he can hardly complain later if the state thereafter has no choice but to use lethal injections with all the risks involved, suggests Banzhaf.Concerns that the convict would fill his stomach with food to slow the absorption of the ingested drug don’t seem valid because condemned prisoners are reportedly usually kept under constant watch at least 24 hours before the time of execution.Washington, DC, July 28, 2014 --( PR.com )-- Indeed, some experts have been quoted as suggesting that investigations and subsequent litigation growing out of these and other botched lethal-injection executions might halt the practice.Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals suggested that using a firing squad would be the "most promising" method, in large part because its "foolproof" although “brutal” nature of always resulting in death would mean the end of botched executions.But, says public interest law professor John Banzhaf, there’s an easier way to administer lethal drugs which avoids the problems caused by injecting them - simply switch to lethal barbiturate pills, of the type used in “Death With Dignity” states.Virtually all of the problems associated with using drugs to execute convicted murderers occur because the drugs are being injected, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.