Clayton Lockett
Number of New Death Sentences in 2015 Lowest in More Than 40 Years
There were only 28 executions this year, the lowest number since 1991, and 49 new death sentences — a 33 percent decline from last year. The dip is partly due to litigation over drugs that are used to carry out lethal injections.
Supreme Court Rules States Can Use Controversial Lethal Injection Drug
The justices Monday ruled 5-4 against three Oklahoma death row inmates who argued that the sedative drug as never meant for that purpose and doesn't work.
Supreme Court Okays Use of Midazolam For Lack of a Better Drug
The Supreme Court ruled that midazolam does not violate the prohibition against cruel or unusual punishments.
Eric Holder Calls For Moratorium on Death Penalty and Conclusions In Ferguson Investigations
Eric Holder has been making the rounds to sum up his legacy as the country’s first black man at the helm of the Justice Department, and one of its longest-serving leaders.
Documents Reveal 'Bloody Mess' at Botched Oklahoma Execution of Clayton Lockett
A lawsuit filed by another Oklahoma death row inmate details a grisly lethal injection process that lasted 43 minutes and made a mess, squirting blood all over a doctor.
Oklahoma Rep Proposes New Form of Execution by Nitrogen Asphyxiation
Mike Christian, a Republican in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, called nitrogen asphyxiation "a humane way to die."
First Oklahoma Botched an Execution, and Then It Botched the Autopsy
The second autopsy reveals that both the execution and the first autopsy weren't done very well.
Newspapers Are Suing Oklahoma for Hiding a Botched Execution
"The idea that the government has the right to exercise its ultimate power in secret is one that we can all reject."
The Long Arizona Execution Was Lawful Because The Law is Flawed
Botched and protracted executions make the barbarism of all capital punishments impossible to avoid.
What Should We Do About Botched Executions? Stop Executing People
Several horrific executions by lethal injection have prompted calls for reform — but more perfect killing methods shouldn't be our aim.
Maybe It's Time to Stop Letting States Experiment with Secret Death Drugs
The slow, grisly death of Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett shows what happens when we improvise secret, untested lethal injection mixtures.
The Truth Behind the Drugs That Led to Oklahoma's 43-Minute Prison Execution
Oklahoma State Penitentiary used drugs not intended for executions to kill a murderer.