Death row inmate sues to stop execution, cites diabetes, heart problems

[Northerner]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A condemned Ohio killer scheduled to die next month has multiple health problems that put him at risk of suffering during lethal injection, attorneys argued in a lawsuit Monday.

Arthur Tyler has a history of heart problems and diabetes and risk factors including high blood pressure, breathing difficulties and being overweight, according to the complaint in federal court in Columbus.

Tyler could also suffer adverse reactions from medication he has taken, including blood pressure drugs, the complaint said.

Tyler's problems increase "the substantial risk of serious harm to which he will be subjected during any attempt by Defendants to execute him using their lethal-injection protocol," the filing said.

The complaint argues that lethal injection drugs would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. The drugs are the only execution method under Ohio law.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/st...1a92c64f/OH--Death-Penalty-Ohio/#.U0Odh_ldWAg

 

[Andy HB]

There are much 'better' ways of killing someone humanely apparently. I seem to remember seeing a programme that asphyxiation by carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide actually sends you off on a high.

This same programme also investigated why the U.S. didn't make use of these methods and it seemed to suggest that they actively didn't want the executions to be completely painless.

Anyway, it is a nasty business and I am glad we don't have the death penalty in this country. If only for the single reason that if a mistake is made, it ain't much help giving a posthumous pardon!

Andy