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Government Secrecy about Execution Protocol

By Dr. Michael Blankenship

The issue of the secrecy surrounding the execution protocol of several states is well documented in today's L.A. Times (and elsewhere). Should the process and its participants enjoy this privilege?Read the storySeveral states have protected their execution protocols from public scrutiny. One of the justifications for this secrecy is to protect the identity of the executioners. There is no doubt some validity to this rationale. On the other hand, citizens must be confident that government will not abuse this process when it grants the ability to withhold information. Several states have violated the trust by having shoddy procedures, little or no training, and in the case of Missouri, incompetent executioners.The U.S. Supreme Court may address not only the chemicals used by the states and the federal government, but may also issue guidelines regarding execution protocols...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Justice Gambit on January 07, 2008 (boomark / email).