This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7386863.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Georgia state to execute convict Georgia death row inmate executed
(about 7 hours later)
The supreme court of the US state of Georgia has refused to grant a stay of execution to a convicted murderer. A convicted murderer has been executed in the US state of Georgia, after the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal.
William Early Lynd is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 1900 (2300 GMT), making him the first death row inmate to be executed since last September. William Early Lynd was put to death by lethal injection, making him the first prisoner to be executed in the US since last September.
Executions were halted while the US Supreme Court considered whether lethal injections broke a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Executions had been halted while the Supreme Court considered whether lethal injections broke a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
The court ruled last month that such executions were constitutional.The court ruled last month that such executions were constitutional.
Mr Lynd, 53, was convicted of kidnapping and killing his girlfriend nearly 20 years ago.Mr Lynd, 53, was convicted of kidnapping and killing his girlfriend nearly 20 years ago.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles also rejected his appeal for clemency and he is expected to appeal to the US Supreme Court, the Associated Press news agency said. Both the Georgia Supreme Court, and the US Supreme Court, rejected his appeal for a stay of execution.
Doubts raisedDoubts raised
Lethal injection is used by 37 of 38 American states which have the death sentence on their statute books.Lethal injection is used by 37 of 38 American states which have the death sentence on their statute books.
The inmate is given three drugs - a sedative, another that paralyses all muscles except the heart and a final drug which stops the heart, causing death.The inmate is given three drugs - a sedative, another that paralyses all muscles except the heart and a final drug which stops the heart, causing death.
Three drugs are given to prisoners being executed by lethal injectionThree drugs are given to prisoners being executed by lethal injection
States began using the method in 1978 as an alternative to historic methods of execution such as electrocution. States began using the injections in 1978 as an alternative to previously used methods of execution such as electrocution.
Concerns were raised about lethal injection recently when it was discovered that some prisoners were taking up to 30 minutes to die instead of the usual 15. Concerns were raised about lethal injection recently when it was discovered that some prisoners were taking up to 30 minutes to die instead of 15.
A 2005 study also sparked controversy by suggesting the amount of sedation given might not be enough to stop the inmate feeling the painful effects of the other drugs - but would prevent him crying out.A 2005 study also sparked controversy by suggesting the amount of sedation given might not be enough to stop the inmate feeling the painful effects of the other drugs - but would prevent him crying out.
The US Supreme Court case against lethal injection was made by two death row inmates in Kentucky.The US Supreme Court case against lethal injection was made by two death row inmates in Kentucky.