States Consider Lethal Injection Alternatives

OKLAHOMA CITY — As the result of the botched lethal injection execution of Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett in April 2014, as well as a nationwide shortage of lethal injection drugs, some of the 32 states that practice capital punishment now are examining alternative methods.

Lockett apparently experienced a heart attack after receiving the injection, which Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton attributed to “vein failure.” The issue was compounded by the fact that officials did not have another dose in the facility.

Read more