Pentobarbital: The new standard for lethal injection

By Shannon Gwynne

Murder and killing. What do we think of when we hear those words? Most of us would say the scum of the earth who live their days planning out what it would be like to kill their spouse, friend or even a complete stranger. Then we can ask, what fuels these people to do the unthinkable? Jealousy, rage, or a sense or power over an individual or even a group of people.

In the book “A murderer next door: Why the mind is designed to kill” by David Buss, about 91 percent of men and 87 percent of women have had at least one thought of what it would be like  to kill someone. Does this make us all sick sociopaths? The answer is no. Why? Because the majority of us know right from wrong and can realize the consequences that these actions can have. However, in some people their sense of judgement is clouded by thoughts of murder. Do these people realize what lies ahead for them if they are caught? Many don’t. After justice has been served, most of these people are given anywhere from multiple life sentences to the death penalty.

I currently live in Canada, where the death penalty was abolished a long time ago, but in some countries like the United States, the method of putting someone to death for a heinous crime is still present. Thousands of people have been hung, shot, stoned, electrocuted and the most modern method is lethal injection.

Lethal injection can be quite the controversial topic. For the past few years it has been known as the “3 drug cocktail” – made up of sodium pentothal, pavulon and potassium chloride. The sodium pentothal begins to shut down the nervous system and render the person unconscious. The pavulon slows down the heart beat and blocks the exchanges between the heart and muscles. Finally the potassium chloride stuns the heart to stop it all together, resulting in a hopefully-painless death. While some people may believe the word “painless” and “criminal” don’t go together, there has to be some sense of humanity left in these individuals.

There are 35 states in the United States that have the death penalty. Ohio is the only state which has now switched to the new cocktail – pentobarbital. However there is quite some controversy to this method because it hasn’t been tested yet.

Pentobarbital can be compared to an extremely strong sleep aid. It is used during animal operations and has even been used in some heart surgeries. Essentially, Ohio would be using a large amount of the drug to make it lethal.

There has been an ongoing battle with states regarding the use of pentobarbital in executions. This is because it has not been tested and it brings up the question of is the execution constitutional. So a big question is, will this put executions on hold? Will murders and rapists sit in their confined cell, with 3 meals per day as the system figures out all the bugs with the new method?

It seems everyone has mixed opinions on the new drug. The Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck Inc. who produces the drug even said they don’t want their drug being used for executions.

Another common question could be what are the side effects of the drug? Well since it isn’t tested it is hard to know. However in one case in Alabama, Thomas Douglas Arthur was supposed to be put to death but his lawyer Suhana Hun argued, saying it could knock her client out completely. She continued to say this could make injections extremely painful and could fall under the category of “cruel and unusual punishment”. Arthur spent most of his time on death row narrowly escaping his fate by requesting appeals for the “punishment”. His case is still pending.

The way I see it, is that someone who commits murder of someone deserves exactly what is coming to them. Again, this is coming from someone whose country does not have the death penalty. Whether it is pentobarbital or the traditional cocktail, the criminal knows what is coming. There is no evading it once you are strapped on that table. The controversy of pentobarbital continues, as long as the death penalty does.

Third time might not be a charm for Texas inmate facing execution tomorrow

Texas inmate Cleve Foster will face lethal injection tomorrow for the third time in 2 years. Foster has twice before been standing at the door of the death chamber when the U.S. Supreme Court has intervened and given him a stay of execution.

Foster was convicted of murdering Nyanuer “Mary” Pal, a Sudanese immigrant near Fort Worth, Texas. Even with DNA evidence tying him to the crime, Foster continues to maintain his innocence. His lawyers though are fighting his case based on ineffective counsel in his 2004 trial.

Oklahoma inmate executed for triple murder, including two children

Michael Hooper was executed this evening in Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester by lethal injection and is the fourth inmate executed in Oklahoma this year.

Hooper was found guilty  and sentenced to death for the 1993 murders of Cynthia Lynn Jarman, 23-years-old and her two children Tonya, 5-years-old and Timmy, 3-years-old. Hooper was in his pickup truck with Jarman and her children when he placed the gun under her chin and pulled the trigger, still alive he then placed the gun at her temple and ended her life. He then shot each of the children twice in the head to prevent them from being witnesses to their mother’s death and then buried their bodies in a shallow grave near Oklahoma City.

Hooper’s last words were, “I just want to thank God for such an exuberant send-off, also, my family for standing by me throughout all this. I appreciate them being there for me through the hardships. I ask that my spirit be released directly into the hands of Jesus. I’m ready to go, I love you all.”

Arizona executes inmate for double murder in 1987

Daniel Cook was executed tonight in Arizona for the murder of Kevin Swaney and Carlos Cruz Ramos in 1987, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Cook was only hours away from execution in April 2011 when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay while it considered his claim that he was poorly represented during his appeals – less than a year later it turned down his case.

25 years ago, Cook and co-defendant John Matzke, murdered two co-workers – Carlos Cruz Ramos, 26-years-old and Kevin Swaney, just 16-years-old, but they did not just kill them, they sodomized, tortured and then strangled them.

Cook was 50-years-old, and had been a quiet and peaceful person before the murders and ever since the crime – but claimed that the murders took place during a night of heavy drinking – Cook claims to have no recollection of the crime at all. Matzke went to police, confessed and testified against Cook – he was given 20 years and was released in 2007.

Cook’s last meal included: eggplant lasagna, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, asparagus, ice cream, and root beer.

Cook’s final words were ”I’d like to say sorry to the victim’s family. I know that’s not enough. Where am I? To my lawyers, thank you. Red Robin, yum. I’m done. I love you.”

Cook was pronounced dead at 12:03pm EST today, just less than 40 minutes after the lethal injection process began.

Texas executes “mentally retarded” inmate

Marvin Wilson was put to death tonight in Texas even as supporters pleaded for his life arguing that he was “mentally retarded” and therefore unfit to be executed according to a 2002 U.S. Supreme court ruling.

Even though Wilson’s tested IQ was 61, below the “mentally retarded” standard of 70, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Wilson’s appeal. Earlier venues for his appeals were unconvincing as prosecutors claimed that Wilson was actually a savvy criminal and whose IQ in other tests was much higher.

Marvin Wilson was convicted of murdering 21-year-old Jerry Williams in 1994. Williams had identified Wilson as a drug dealer to police. Terry Lewis was an accomplice to the crime but was only sentenced to life in prison.

Wilson’s final words were ”Give mom a hug for me and tell her that I love her. Take me home, Jesus. Take me home, Lord,” he continued. “I ain’t left yet, must be a miracle. I am a miracle.”

Wilson was pronounced dead at 7:27pm EST.