Death Penalty Series: Court Clears Use of Fentanyl in Executions

Nebraska would be the first state to use the drug for executions.

Death Penalty Series: Court Clears Use of Fentanyl in Executions

In early August, a federal court denied the German drug company Fresenius Kabi’s request to block the use of its medication, potassium chloride and cisatracurium besylate, in an upcoming execution in Nebraska. The potassium chloride would be used to stop a person’s heart, while the cisatracurium besylate is used to paralyze a person’s muscles. Fresenius Kabi filed the lawsuit because it believes that its drugs will be used in an execution — and it specifically restricts its drugs from being used in lethal injections. The drug company argued that these medications must have been obtained under false pretenses.

As a murder defense lawyer Los Angeles, CA can explain, a federal court judge in Nebraska denied the drug company’s request. The judge found that there was no evidence that the drugs that the state of Nebraska will use were manufactured or distributed by the company. He also stated that the company will not likely face any harm to its reputation if it was associated with an execution. He also noted that public interest sided with the state officials seeking to carry out the execution. The drug company has appealed the ruling.

Nebraska intends to use a combination of the two drugs listed above, along with diazepam (better known as Valium) and fentanyl, the synthetic painkiller, to render the inmate — Carey Dean Moore — unconscious before using the potassium chloride and cisatracurium besylate to kill him. It would be the first time that fentanyl has been used in capital punishment.

This case highlights the difficulty that states across the country have had with procuring drugs for lethal injections. Drug companies in the United States and abroad object to their medications being used for capital punishment, leaving some states to turn to new, untested drug combinations. Other states have turned to older methods, such as Utah’s return to the firing squad.

In California, there are more people awaiting execution than in any other state in the country. There are currently over 700 people on “death row” in California. Despite this, only 13 people have been executed in California since 1978. The most recent execution took place on January 17, 2006. While there are many reasons why California has not executed many of its over 700 inmates sentenced to death, an inability to access drugs for lethal injections may play a role.

If you have been charged with a serious crime that could lead to the imposition of the death penalty, including murder, you will need a top notch murder defense lawyer Los Angeles, CA. The Chambers Law Firm represents clients who have been charged with a range of crimes, including capital offenses. We thoroughly investigate each case to develop aggressive factual and legal defenses, leaving no stone unturned. We know what is at stake — and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and your freedom.

To schedule an appointment with an experienced murder defense lawyer Los Angeles, CA, contact our firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com. Initial consultations are always free.

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