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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Supreme Court Hears Lethal Injection Case

    In death penalty cases, many states use a three-drug cocktail for what's called "lethal injection." It begins with sodium thiopental to render the prisoner unconscious; pancuronium bromide paralyzes all muscle movement; potassium chloride induces cardiac arrest.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    In death penalty cases, many states use a three-drug cocktail for what's called "lethal injection." It begins with sodium thiopental to render the prisoner unconscious; pancuronium bromide paralyzes all muscle movement; potassium chloride induces cardiac arrest. Two condemned men in Kentucky claim that some convicts are awake and able to feel excruciating pain, which means they suffer "cruel and unusual punishment" as prohibited by the eighth amendment. Today, the US Supreme Court took up their case. Professor Alison Nathan wrote an amicus brief for today's case on behalf of the Law and Ethics Center at Fordham Law School in New York City.

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    2 of 2
    Republicans and Democrats Debate Change and Experience
    1. 1:40On the Eve of the New Hampshire Primary
    2. 42:26Supreme Court Hears Lethal Injection CaseYou’re reading this
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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    Republicans and Democrats Debate Change and Experience
    1. 1:40On the Eve of the New Hampshire Primary
    2. 42:26Supreme Court Hears Lethal Injection CaseYou’re reading this
    Back to To the Point