Missouri Experiences Crisis in Lethal Injection Protocol

The State of Missouri has executed 66 inmates since 1976, and is one of nine states to allow lethal gas as a method of execution. It is also experiencing a statewide crisis in the adminstration of lethal injection protocol. On June 26, U.S. Judge Fernando Gaitan Jr. ruled that the state's method of executing is inconsistent, and raised concern that Missouri has relied on an incompetent and dyslexic surgeon for the administration of lethal injection drugs.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently confirmed the doctor who devised and supervises Missouri's lethal injection procedure is Dr. Alan R. Doerhoff, 62, of Jefferson City. Doerhoff has participated in 54 state executions, and been sued for malpractice more than 20 times by his own estimate. Two Missouri hospitals won't allow Doerhoff him to practice within their walls. He was publicly reprimanded in 2003 by the state Board of Healing Arts for failing to disclose malpractice suits to a hospital where he was employed.

Judge Gaitan determined that the current administration procedure of lethal injection drugs creates the risk that condemned inmates suffer unconstitutional pain and suffering while they're being executed, and that an anesthesiologist, not a surgeon, must mix the drugs and certify the inmate is unconscious. He also ordered the state to have, apparently for the first time, a strict written policy for the procedures.

Gaitan gave the state until July 15 to change the method. On July 14, officials of the Missouri Department of Corrections informed Judge Gaitan that it could not meet his requirement to find a board-certified anesthesiologist willing to participate. Anesthesiologists are reluctant due to conflict with the Hippocratic oath, which instructs physicians not to aid or abet killing-- even, presumably, when it is state-sponsored.

Alison, No Death Penalty Wisconsin

posted by Sachin @ 12:49 PM