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| US to decide on lethal injection | US to decide on lethal injection |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether to ban lethal injections - the means of execution in most states. | The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether to ban lethal injections - the means of execution in most states. |
| The court has agreed to hear challenges from two Kentucky death row inmates - Ralph Baze and Thomas Clyde Bowling Jr. | The court has agreed to hear challenges from two Kentucky death row inmates - Ralph Baze and Thomas Clyde Bowling Jr. |
| They sued the state in 2004, saying three-drug injections violated the US Constitution's ban on cruel punishment. | They sued the state in 2004, saying three-drug injections violated the US Constitution's ban on cruel punishment. |
| The court's decision to hear the case last September has halted executions across the country. | The court's decision to hear the case last September has halted executions across the country. |
| In 2007, 42 people were put to death in the US - the lowest total in 13 years. | In 2007, 42 people were put to death in the US - the lowest total in 13 years. |
| In December, New Jersey became the first state to abolish the death penalty since 1976. | In December, New Jersey became the first state to abolish the death penalty since 1976. |
| 'Reasonable safeguards' | 'Reasonable safeguards' |
| Lethal injection is used in all the 37 states that have capital punishment except Nebraska, which requires electrocution. | Lethal injection is used in all the 37 states that have capital punishment except Nebraska, which requires electrocution. |
| LETHAL INJECTIONS Sodium pentothal - anaestheticPancuronium bromide - paralyses entire muscle systemPotassium chloride - stops the heart | LETHAL INJECTIONS Sodium pentothal - anaestheticPancuronium bromide - paralyses entire muscle systemPotassium chloride - stops the heart |
| The standard method is a combination of three chemicals - one which makes the inmate unconscious, another that paralyses all muscles except the heart, and a final drug that stops the heart, causing death. | The standard method is a combination of three chemicals - one which makes the inmate unconscious, another that paralyses all muscles except the heart, and a final drug that stops the heart, causing death. |
| In 2004, Ralph Baze and Thomas Clyde Bowling Jr - who had been convicted of murder and sentenced to death - argued that lethal injections administered in Kentucky amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution. | In 2004, Ralph Baze and Thomas Clyde Bowling Jr - who had been convicted of murder and sentenced to death - argued that lethal injections administered in Kentucky amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution. |
| The procedures "create a significant and unnecessary risk of inflicting severe pain that could be prevented by the adoption of reasonable safeguards", their lawyers said in court papers. | The procedures "create a significant and unnecessary risk of inflicting severe pain that could be prevented by the adoption of reasonable safeguards", their lawyers said in court papers. |
| The Kentucky state defends its procedures. | The Kentucky state defends its procedures. |
| "Kentucky seeks to execute in a relatively humane manner and has worked hard to adopt such a procedure," Kentucky Attorney General Gregory Stumbo has said. | "Kentucky seeks to execute in a relatively humane manner and has worked hard to adopt such a procedure," Kentucky Attorney General Gregory Stumbo has said. |
| The court begins its hearing on Monday and a ruling is expected in June. | |
| Lawyers for the two men have said the court has not reviewed the issue for more than 100 years. | Lawyers for the two men have said the court has not reviewed the issue for more than 100 years. |