Contact Us ·  Advertise With Us ·  Site Map
HOME    WEATHER    NEWS    SPORTS    COMMUNITY    BUSINESS    HEALTH    ENTERTAINMENT        
CarSoup Holiday Guide Closings & Delays First Alert Traffic Community Photos/Videos Job Board Contests TV3 on the Go Desktop Alert
DTV Transition
Go Green
Holiday Shopping
Current Radar
About WHSV
Live Newscast
WHSV Poll
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.
Doctor: Lethal Injection Inhumane Save Email Print
ELYRIA, Ohio (AP)
Posted: 10:30 PM Apr 7, 2008
Last Updated: 4:10 PM Apr 7, 2008

A | A | A

An anesthesiologist says Ohio's lethal injection procedure isn't appropriate for dogs or cats, let alone humans.

Dr. Mark Heath, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Columbia University, made the remarks Monday in Ohio while testifying on behalf of two murder defendants. The hearing is on the constitutionality of the state's method for putting prisoners to death.

Heath says it's possible to perform lethal injection of prisoners in a humane manner, but that Ohio's method falls below the standard for euthanizing household pets.

The major criticism of the three-drug execution is that if the executioner administers too little anesthetic or makes mistakes injecting it, the inmate could suffer excruciating pain from the other two drugs.

Lethal injections are on hold nationally while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge in a case from Kentucky.

Related Stories
Kaine Stays Bell's Execution

McDonnell Reacts to Execution Stay

Victim's Father Angry About Stay

Lethal Injection Hearings

More Stories
Crime Where You Live

Wind Turbine Test Tower

Staunton Enterprise Zone Grant

First Responder Talks About Double Murder

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Staunton on Apr 8, 2008 at 05:48 AM
The death row inmates are not VICTIMS, and they are not cute, cuddly little teddy bears that should be pitied!!! They make VICTIMS and that is why they are where they are. They should be given something to think aboutwhen they're murdering and raping and God knows what else on innocent people. Boo hoo if they suffer a little. I couldn't care less. Obviously Dr. Heath has never been a crime victim or he wouldn't think this way!

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
National AP Video