The Supreme Court turns away an appeal from Ernest Johnson, who alleges that his imminent execution by lethal injection will inflict torturous pain because a brain tumor operation. All three liberals dissent; Sotomayor and Breyer write. supremecourt.gov/orders/courtor…
An operation left Ernest Johnson with scarred brain tissue and epilepsy; he alleges that lethal injection will trigger a massive, violent, uncontrollable, immensely painful seizure as he slowly dies. The Supreme Court's conservative majority doesn't care. supremecourt.gov/orders/courtor…
This case, and others like it, are why South Carolina recently reauthorized execution by electric chair or firing squad: Lethal injection often poses a serious risk of torture, and odd as it may sound, traditional forms of execution may be more "humane." npr.org/2021/05/20/998…
In today's opinion, Sotomayor calls out Kavanaugh, who previously asserted that death row inmates could request an alternative to lethal injection even if it isn't authorized by state law. Sotomayor says: Well, Brett, that's this case, so where the hell is your vote now?
(Addendum: This is *one reason why* states like SC are contemplating alternatives to lethal injection; they are also facing shortages of the necessary drugs, but that problem dovetails with delays relating to legal challenges to lethal injection.)
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