Ohio executions use lethal injection

Federal Judge Extends Moratorium on Ohio Executions

Federal Judge Gregory Frost’s ruling extends a multi-month moratorium Ohio executions of death row inmates.  His ruling delays executions through January 15, 2015.  The drugs used for lethal injection are being called into question after some high profile executions drew attention to the extended period of agony endured by some inmates before finally passing.

Like many states, Ohio executions inject two or more drugs with pentobarbital being the drug of choice to quickly sedate the inmate and eliminate further pain.  However the drug’s US manufacturer has stopped production and European makers will not export it for use in executions.   This has forced states like Ohio to reformulate their injection mix using other medications.

The drugs in question are well known, well prescribed medications used everyday in surgeries throughout the world.  While the effects and dosages for surgery where one wants the patient to live is well known and well documented, what is not known is the most effective lethal dosage for the population at large.  Since various drugs impact different people in different ways, the exact mix for a humane execution of any person is still under debate.

Information above was freely adapted from US News and World Report and other sources.

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