Killing state No. 3 facing challenges

Oklahoma, who has killed more condemned prisoners than any other states except Texas and Virginia, is facing court challenges to its lethal injection method.

The Los Angeles Times writes:

Death by lethal injection faces a significant challenge in federal court today in Oklahoma City, with doctors contending that the state's method creates an unnecessary risk that a condemned inmate will suffer excruciating pain, in violation of the constitutional prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

Nearly 30 years ago, Oklahoma became the first state to develop a procedure for lethal injection — leading three dozen other states to develop similar methods.

It seems some doctors are opposed to the methods.

In sworn statements in the case, anesthesiologists Dr. Mark Heath and Dr. Thomas K. Henthorn say Oklahoma's method shows state corrections officials have a "fundamental misunderstanding" of the role of the three drugs they use in lethal injections.

Some critics point out that the United States is the only civilized country that still uses the death penalty.

Others say use of the death penalty proves the United States has yet to become civilized.