Ohio judge says state must change lethal injection law

6/10/2008
ASSOCIATED PRESS

EYLRIA, Ohio A judge in Ohio says the state's method of putting prisoners to death is unconstitutional because two of three drugs used in lethal injection can cause pain.

Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge said Tuesday the state's lethal injection process doesn't provide the quick and painless death required by Ohio law.

Burge said Ohio must stop allowing a combination of drugs and focus instead on a single, anesthetic drug.

The ruling is likely be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Ohio has executed 26 inmates since it resumed putting prisoners to death in 1999.

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