WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court, in another 5-4 decision Monday gave states permission to once again use certain drugs to execute death-row prisoners by lethal injection.
The sedative Midazolam, which Alabama uses in executions as part of a three drug cocktail, was ruled by the majority not to constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.”
The suit was brought after one inmate in Oklahoma struggled for several minutes after the drug was administered incorrectly.
Lethal injections in Alabama, and several other states that utilize the drug, were placed on hold while waiting for the SCOTUS decision.
“Opponents of lethal injections have repeatedly used court challenges of certain lethal injection drugs as ways to delay or avoid lawful executions,” said Attorney General Strange in a press release shortly after the decision was announced. “The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed our belief that executions using these lethal injection drugs are not cruel and unusual punishment, and therefore are not prohibited under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
Alabama joined twelve other states in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of use of the drug.
The Alabama Legislature considered a bill during the 2014 Regular Session that would have brought back “Yellow Mama” the state’s infamous bright yellow electric chair used in executions from 1927-2002, in case SCOTUS had ruled the states couldn’t use the drug. Though the legislation passed the Alabama House, it was ultimately unsuccessful.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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