Friday, July 25, 2014

Botched Execution in Arizona Raises More Questions About Lethal Injection



Arizona has suspended executions while an investigation is conducted after the execution of an inmate this week lasted nearly two hours. Arizona Republican Senator John McCain today called the execution of Joseph Wood “torture,” though he reiterated his support of capitol punishment for certain crimes. It took almost two hours for Wood to die after receiving the lethal injection, and witnesses described him as gasping for breath and snorting. Supporters and opponents of the death penalty say the prolonged execution earlier this week is not likely to bring about the end of capitol punishment. Activists say Wood's execution is the third botched execution by lethal injection this year. Dialynn Dwyer has more.