Judge to hear lethal injection case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A federal judge is preparing to hear evidence in a case in which 21 Oklahoma death row inmates are challenging the state’s lethal injection procedures after a bungled execution in April.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot has scheduled three days to hear from witnesses. The death row inmates say Oklahoma’s new lethal drug combinations amount to human experiments that violate the constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The case was filed after the April 29 execution of 38-year-old Clayton Lockett, who writhed on the gurney, mumbled and lifted his head after receiving a new lethal injection formula.

Attorneys for the state maintain new execution protocols and staff training will prevent similar problems from happening again.

Oklahoma’s next execution is set for Jan. 15.