Death Row Inmate Wins Right To Challenge Execution Drugs

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi death row inmate will get to challenge the state’s use of an execution drug that’s been blamed for problems in other states.

CRAWFORD

The Mississippi Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision Thursday, said Charles Ray Crawford can question the use of midazolam in state court.

Lawyers for Crawford say the sedative won’t make an inmate unconscious, meaning he could feel pain as executioners administer a second drug to paralyze him and a third drug to stop his heart.

Lawyers for an inmate in Alabama said his movements during an execution last week proved he was never properly anesthetized.

Mississippi has not executed anyone since 2012. The state Supreme Court has avoided setting execution dates during challenges to execution methods.