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In reply to the discussion: Holy shit - execution botched in Oklahoma tonight so second execution [View all]herding cats
(20,050 posts)head off the pillow.
"There was some concern at that time that the drugs were not having that (desired) effect, and the doctor observed the line at that time and determined the line had blown," Patton said at a news conference afterward, referring to Lockett's vein rupturing.
After that, an official who was inside the death chamber lowered the blinds, preventing those in the viewing room from seeing what was happening.
Patton then made a series of phone calls before calling a halt to the execution.
"After conferring with the warden, and unknown how much drugs went into him, it was my decision at that time to stop the execution," Patton told reporters
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/oklahoma-prepares-execution-2-inmates
How is this not cruel and unusual punishment and in violation of the Eighth Amendment?