The gurney inside the Arkansas Death Chamber which inmates are strapped into for lethal injections at the Cummins Unit. Credit: Arkansas Department of Correction.
For almost two weeks I covered a federal trial with a judge considering a lawsuit by 18 Arkansas death row inmates challenging the state’s use of the sedative midazolam in lethal injections. Attorneys representing the inmates argued the drug doesn’t do enough to keep inmates unconscious when subsequent drugs paralyze the muscles and stop the heart. The plaintiffs’ attorneys suggested inmates suffer excruciating pain, but that’s masked by the paralytic.
Attorneys for the state countered that there is no legitimate proof to back up the claims. Much of the arguments and testimony focused on the execution of Kenneth Williams, one of four inmates Arkansas put to death in 2017. He lurched repeatedly for about 10 seconds during his lethal injection. But depending on which side the witness was testifying for was a factor in whether it was described as Williams violently hitting against the restraints of the gurney or was simply an involuntary muscle spasm.
In federal court, reporters are not allowed to record audio for broadcast, so much of my reporting went into detailed online stories. I also recorded longer than normal radio reports and joined KUAR’s local All Things Considered host a couple of times to talk about the proceedings. I also spoke about the trial on AETN’s Arkansas Week. Below are links to my reports and segments from the television program.
Federal Trial Begins As Arkansas Death Row Inmates Challenge Execution Drug (April 23, 2019) Opening statements were presented by attorneys, then testimony began with witnesses to Williams’ execution.
Expert In Arkansas Lethal Injection Trial Says Inmates ‘For A Certain’ Feel Pain (April 24, 2019) Testimony was presented by a professor of pharmacology about midazolam.
I spoke on AETN’s Arkansas Week about testimony up to that point on Friday, April 26.
Anesthesiologist Testifies As Arkansas Lethal Injection Drug Trial Ends Week 1 (April 26, 2019) More expert testimony was presented by attorneys for the plaintiffs, this time from a anesthesiologist from Seattle.
Expert Witnesses For The State Contradict Previous Testimony In Lethal Injection Trial (April 29, 2019) The defense began calling witnesses, with their own pharmacologist and anesthesiologist.
Top Arkansas Prison Officials, State Lawmakers Describe Witnessing 2017 Executions (May 1, 2019) The warden of the Cummins Unit testified along with a former prosecutor and two state lawmakers.
Department Of Correction Director Testifies In Arkansas Lethal Injection Trial (May 1, 2019) Director Wendy Kelly, who was named in the suit along with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, talked about her role in the death chamber.
Closing Arguments Delivered In Arkansas Lethal Injection Trial (May 2, 2019) An attorney for the plaintiffs and one from the Arkansas Attorney General’s office made their closing arguments to the judge.
At the end of the trial, Judge Baker said she will consider the arguments and testimony. She did not give a time frame for when a written ruling will be issued. I spoke the following day, Friday, May 3 on AETN’s Arkansas Week about trial.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
