Supreme Court and Use of Execution Drugs

Jun 28, 2015 | Blog

On June 28th, the Supreme Court allows use of execution drug.  In Glossip v. Gross The SCOTUS ruled against three death row inmates who sought to bar the use of execution drugs, saying they risk causing excruciating pain. Prior to the ruling, two dissenting members  – Justices Stephen G. Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg – were ready to rule that the death penalty was unconstitutional.  In the end a 5-to-4 decision favored the use.  Washington State law allows for Capital Punishment by intravenous injection or by hanging of the neck (if the defendant so chooses).  As of February 2015, Washington State Correctional list 9 men on death row.