Ohio has new death protocol for inmates

Omaha News.Net
Sunday 22nd November, 2009

Authorities in the state of Ohio are set to resume executions, following the state's failed attempt to execute Romell Broom on 15th September.

Ohio has decided to introduce a new lethal injection protocol after an execution team, over two hours, repeatedly tried and failed to find a useable vein in which to insert the lethal injection needle.

Amnesty International has called on the Ohio state authorities to abandon future executions pending abolition of the death penalty.

But Ohio's Attorney General has argued that changes to the protocol should end all complaints about how Ohio state authorities carries out executions.

The state authorities have decided to change from a three-drug process to a procedure that uses a large dose of one chemical, thiopental sodium, an anaesthetic.

It has also developed a back-up procedure for cases when a suitable vein could not be found in a condemned inmate for his or her execution.

Ohio is seeking to execute Kenneth Biros on 8th December.

Six other death row inmates are scheduled for execution in Ohio in the six months after that.

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