WASHINGTON, May 1 (RIA Novosti), Lyudmila Chernova - The US state of Oklahoma should order an independent investigation to get to the bottom of the reasons for the botched execution that took place Tuesday, John Blume, a Cornell law professor and death penalty expert, told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
“Executions in Oklahoma and other states operating under a veil of secrecy as to manufacturer of the drugs used in the execution process should be stayed until an independent investigation is conducted,” he stressed.
“This should not be left to the Department of Corrections. It needs to be done by an independent agency or appointed commission,” Blume said, warning of a significant risk of more horrific executions if these two things do not happen.
The incident with the botched lethal injection, which left the death row inmate, Clayton Lockett, writher in pain for 20 minutes, has caused worldwide outcry and scrutiny. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty sent a Joint Statement to RIA Novosti Wednesday.
“We demand that the state halt all executions and carry out an independent investigation. The death penalty is clearly untenable and cannot continue. The state of Oklahoma shrouded the process in secrecy and undermined public confidence in our criminal justice system and our democracy by threating to impeach State Supreme Court Judges who originally voted to stay these executions. The government of Oklahoma sacrificed transparency and public accountability in favor of expediency – and the consequence were grotesque and preventable. The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and our allies will not be silent.
"We at OK-CADP are saddened and disgusted by tonight’s botched execution,” said Adam Leathers, Co-Chair of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP). “Years from now, Oklahomans will look back at this moment in shame and embarrassment of our leadership."This night will be a catalyst for those aggrieved and outraged to continue to fight to abolish the death penalty in Oklahoma and every other state in America. While we are deeply saddened by last night’s outcome, we are not intimidated or defeated. Our fight continues for justice.”
On Tuesday, Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett died 43 minutes after he was administered a new, three-drug combination, which left him writhing and clenching his teeth on the gurney. The leading prison officials had to call off the proceedings before the inmate's eventual death less than half an hour after from a heart attack.
The incident with the botched lethal injection came amid a nationwide debate over the lawfulness of the three-drug practice and whether it violates the US constitution that prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment."
