I was sitting on the front porch at the compound this morning sipping coffee (for those of you unfamiliar with the NW Oklahoma lifestyle, porch sitting is considered a sport) and perusing the Woodward News (whose motto translated from the Latin is, “Your Advertising Buckage is Best Spent Here!”) when I came upon an article provided by Associated Press on Page 3A (for those of you playing along at home) entitled “Lawmakers Study Nitrogen Gas for Executions”.
Now, that had my attention. I admit to having a rather morbid curiosity about state-sponsored/sanctioned executions. It’s the details: the menu for the last meal, any last words, whether the individual suffered, etc. Personally, I’ve always thought it was a far worse punishment to face a life of imprisonment without any hope of being freed than to face one’s own mortality (literally) at an appointed date and time. I suppose for a state that can’t seem to find the money to pay teachers a decent wage, locking someone up for life doesn’t fall into the category of a sustainable solution. But, I digress… The article was all about the latest efforts of our Oklahoma State Legislature to push legislation that would make Oklahoma the first jurisdiction anywhere in the world to use nitrogen gas as a method of execution through committees and chamber votes at record speed. The thing that made this a legislative priority is a lawsuit filed by inmates on death row in Oklahoma challenging the use of lethal injection as a method of execution following the “botched” execution of an inmate in April 2014. According to the article, the use of nitrogen gas would be the back-up method in case lethal injection is ruled unconstitutional and/or pharmacists refuse to provide the necessary drugs. Now then, I am a reasonable sort of guy (just ask any of my ex-wives). I would have let this thing go if that was all there is to it. I wouldn’t have asked anyone to read through this somewhat macabre post. But noooooooooo, not when the Oklahoma Legislature is involved. Nothing is ever that cut and dried. The article goes on to lay out the four prescribed methods of execution in the legislation. I guess if one method fails, you move on to the next. Now they had my attention. The methods, in order of preference, follow: 1. Lethal Injection – Has been the preferred and in some cases the only method for most states for some time now. This is likely a non-starter. Even if the federal courts don’t rule it unconstitutional or inhumane according to article, the pharmaceutical industry’s governing body is already moving to ham-string participation in executions by any of its pharmacists. 2. Nitrogen Gas - This would involve placing the condemned inmate in an airtight chamber and then filling the chamber with pressurized nitrogen. Supposedly, death comes quickly and painlessly though there is no evidence to support or contradict that claim. In fact, the only thing I’ve ever heard nitrogen gas being used for is inflating tires. Works great for that. Still, Oklahoma may be on to something here though the lack of solid evidence as to its potential for humane application as a method of execution will likely drag the state back into the courts. Then what do you do if all of the tire stores and auto dealerships start hoarding the gas for their own use? 3. Electric Chair - The old standby. Oklahoma hasn’t used the electric chair since 1966. Me thinks they should do some maintenance on Old Sparky before they try to light someone up. I’m guessing there’s a reason it hasn’t been used for nearly 50 years. But unless the prison warden has been using it for Halloween stunts or re-heating leftovers for VIP receptions, I suppose it could be refurbished in a reasonable amount of time. 4. Firing Squad - Really? They’ve never used the firing squad as a method of execution in Oklahoma. Where in the world did they come up with that? I don’t know anything about establishing protocols for carrying out a death sentence, but I’m pretty sure there is more involved than buying a few weapons and finding a few guys willing to shoot someone. In other words, it’ll take some time. I suppose this will result in still more problems with ammo stores keeping their shelves stocked. The one method of execution that I thought was conspicuously missing given Oklahoma’s colorful past is hanging. Guess the legislators lack any relatives in the rope industry. Okay, I’ll wrap this up. I guess I should give the Oklahoma Legislature some credit for trying to think ahead on this. It just concerns me that the legislation is moving through both chambers with little or no debate. Comments are closed.
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