Oklahoma unveils new execution protocols

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma prison officials are unveiling new execution protocols to replace those used when an inmate took 43 minutes to die last spring.

Under the guidelines released Tuesday, Oklahoma can continue to administer midazolam, a sedative used in flawed executions in other states this year, as part of three-drug and two-drug protocols. Oklahoma would use five times the dose it gave Clayton Lockett in April.

A review team appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin said Oklahoma’s prison staff needed more training and a contingency plan. The new protocols address most of those recommendations.

The guidelines give medical technicians one hour to suitably place an intravenous line and would have the prisons director give the order to inject the lethal chemicals. It also reduces the number of media witnesses from 12 to five.