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Post by Lotus Flower on Dec 14, 2006 20:24:26 GMT -6
Fla. to Investigate 34-Minute Execution By RON WORD, Associated Press Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Defense attorneys and death penalty opponents were outraged Thursday over an execution in which the condemned man took more than half an hour to die, needed a rare second dose of lethal chemicals, and appeared to grimace in his final moments.
"I am definitely appalled at what happened. I have no doubt he suffered unduly," Angel Nieves Diaz's attorney, Suzanne Myers Keffer, said after Diaz died by injection.
Executions in Florida normally take about 15 minutes, with the inmate rendered unconscious and motionless within the first three to five minutes. But Diaz took 34 minutes to die and appeared to be moving for most of that time.
Prison officials promised to investigate but insisted Diaz felt no pain and that it was not unexpected a second dose would be required, because liver disease had affected his ability to metabolize the drugs. They offered no explanation for the grimace or why officials did not adjust the dosage from the start.
Foes of capital punishment seized on the execution to argue that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment, just as they did after two inmates' heads caught fire in Florida's electric chair in 1990 and 1997 and a condemned man suffered a severe nosebleed in 2000 during his electrocution.
Those cases led Florida to get rid of the electric chair and switch to lethal injection, which was portrayed as more humane and more reliable.
"This is paralleling to an extraordinary degree what was happening to the electric chair in Florida," said Deborah Denno, a Fordham University law professor who has written extensively about the death penalty. "But this execution is worse. This inmate was conscious."
David Elliot, spokesman for the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said Florida seemed to be "developing a national reputation for having problems with the way it conducts its executions."
Diaz's relatives said he did not have liver disease, and accused Florida officials of lying about details of the execution. And one medical expert vehemently disputed the notion that liver disease interfered with the lethal drugs.
Diaz, 55, was executed Wednesday for the 1979 murder of the manager of a Miami topless bar.
Seconds after the chemicals began flowing, Diaz looked up, blinked several times and appeared to be mouthing words. A minute later, he began grimacing.
He appeared to move for 24 minutes after the first injection, at one point looking toward witnesses and another time licking his lips and blowing. He was given a second dose of the chemicals at some point before he died.
Gov. Jeb Bush asked Corrections Secretary James McDonough to undertake a thorough review of the execution, including an autopsy and interviews with those in the death chamber. Bush noted "the unusual length of time it took for the process to complete."
Republican Gov.-elect Charlie Crist also had questions about the procedure.
"You wonder about the dosage and if there may have been some better medical diagnoses done prior to that," Crist said.
Norma Otero Diaz, a cousin in the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan, said Diaz was healthy and recently offered to donate a kidney to her ill son.
Paul Doering, a University of Florida pharmacy professor who is familiar with the lethal injection chemicals, said even if Diaz had a diseased liver, it would not have made any difference on how the drugs worked.
"This explanation doesn't make a bit of sense," Doering said. "It is the greatest fairy tale since Cinderella."
Dr. Mark Heath, an anesthesiologist at Columbia University Medical Center who has studied lethal injection cases across the country, said the effects of drugs used in an execution can be influenced by the medical condition of the prisoner.
"However, it's quite unlikely that the unusual features of this execution, if in fact it was unusual, are fully attributable to hepatic (liver) disease," Heath said.
Diaz's attorney filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of death row inmates, asking the Florida Supreme Court to rule that the state's lethal injection procedure is unconstitutional and to preserve evidence in the case.
Diaz proclaimed his innocence to the end.
"The death penalty is not only a form of vengeance, but also a cowardly act by humans," he said while strapped to a gurney. "I'm sorry for what is happening to me and my family who have been put through this."
Maria Magdalena Otero, another cousin of the executed man, said the family tried to stop a state autopsy to obtain independent evidence that Diaz had no liver condition. But the procedure was completed before relatives arrived.
"They have violated our rights and those of Angel's, who had 34 minutes of suffering," she said in a telephone interview.
___
Associated Press Writer Laura Candelas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this story.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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I am struck by the last line. 34 minutes of "suffering" compared to 27 years of suffering for Mr. Nagy's family. Is there a comparison? Honestly? He never grimaced apparently, he licked his lips and blew out, that could be attributable to being nervous.
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Post by Californian on Dec 14, 2006 22:49:44 GMT -6
I just posted this in another thread on the same subject. This is going to shake out to one thing: they didn't have adequate patency of the IV. They probably should have used a cardiac stick on this guy.
This is physiologically and pharmacologically incorrect. Impaired liver function should speed death by these drugs. The inability of the diseased liver to metabolize them results in higher blood serum levels, which should result in even faster unconsciousness and death.
Also, the idea that the huge doses of these drugs are metabolized to any extent during the short duration of an execution is pretty dubious.
Something else went on. Hope they posted him so we find out.
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Post by gman on Dec 14, 2006 23:07:37 GMT -6
I just posted this in another thread on the same subject. This is going to shake out to one thing: they didn't have adequate patency of the IV. They probably should have used a cardiac stick on this guy. Something else went on. Hope they posted him so we find out. Err, k. Can you explain 'adequate patency of the IV', 'cardiac stick', and 'posted' (post mortem?) Californian? Links for medical idiots like myself would do. Google was not all that helpful either. Cardiac stick - '... thus, the STICK is a suitable tool for the study of acute cardiac mechano-electric feedback effects, caused by short impulse-like mechanical stimulation ...' ... err ... yeah.
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Post by Californian on Dec 14, 2006 23:45:10 GMT -6
I just posted this in another thread on the same subject. This is going to shake out to one thing: they didn't have adequate patency of the IV. They probably should have used a cardiac stick on this guy. Something else went on. Hope they posted him so we find out. Err, k. Can you explain 'adequate patency of the IV', 'cardiac stick', and 'posted' (post mortem?) Californian? Links for medical idiots like myself would do. Google was not all that helpful either. Cardiac stick - '... thus, the STICK is a suitable tool for the study of acute cardiac mechano-electric feedback effects, caused by short impulse-like mechanical stimulation ...' ... err ... yeah. G-man: a "cardiac stick" is insertion of a large needle into the heart itself. The right auricle is the target. It's easy to do, even easier than starting an IV. I did a couple when I was in VN. Any competent paramedic could do so today. Lack of "patency" of the IV means that there was some obstruction to the flow. It can either obstruct the IV flow itself, or the IV needle came out of the vein and the fluids were injected ("infiltrated is the correct medical term) under the skin. This slows absorption, and would account for the delay. "Post" does indeed refer to a "post mortem exam," aka an autopsy.
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Post by gman on Dec 14, 2006 23:49:50 GMT -6
G-man: a "cardiac stick" is insertion of a large needle into the heart itself. The right auricle is the target. It's easy to do, even easier than starting an IV. I did a couple when I was in VN. Any competent paramedic could do so today. Lack of "patency" of the IV means that there was some obstruction to the flow. It can either obstruct the IV flow itself, or the IV needle came out of the vein and the fluids were injected ("infiltrated is the correct medical term) under the skin. This slows absorption, and would account for the delay. "Post" does indeed refer to a "post mortem exam," aka an autopsy. Thanks. So it is possible to inject the drugs directly into the heart? That sounds more efficient, and easier. Why is it not common practise to do so?
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Post by Californian on Dec 15, 2006 1:24:30 GMT -6
Soitenly.
Sure. Happens every day. If you feel the top of your ribcage in the centerline, you'll feel a notch. Now move you finger one inch to the left and feel down until it's between the second and third rib. That's the anatomical location of the right auricle, the "reception chamber" for blood entering the heart. It's perhaps 2" below the surface, and easily accessible by needle stick.
Beats me.
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Post by gman on Dec 15, 2006 2:05:16 GMT -6
Sure. Happens every day. If you feel the top of your ribcage in the centerline, you'll feel a notch. Now move you finger one inch to the left and feel down until it's between the second and third rib. That's the anatomical location of the right auricle, the "reception chamber" for blood entering the heart. It's perhaps 2" below the surface, and easily accessible by needle stick. Thanks again.
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Post by Lotus Flower on Dec 15, 2006 7:43:11 GMT -6
G-man: a "cardiac stick" is insertion of a large needle into the heart itself. The right auricle is the target. It's easy to do, even easier than starting an IV. I did a couple when I was in VN. Any competent paramedic could do so today. Lack of "patency" of the IV means that there was some obstruction to the flow. It can either obstruct the IV flow itself, or the IV needle came out of the vein and the fluids were injected ("infiltrated is the correct medical term) under the skin. This slows absorption, and would account for the delay. "Post" does indeed refer to a "post mortem exam," aka an autopsy. Thanks. So it is possible to inject the drugs directly into the heart? That sounds more efficient, and easier. Why is it not common practise to do so? Can you imagine the outrage if they said "OK we're going to put a IV in his heart?" They already whine about the needle stick in the arm. All LIs should be done with a cardio stick but I can just HEAR the furor and ppl wanting to guaranty the killer doesn't get hurt when they stick him.
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 15, 2006 8:31:26 GMT -6
Why not have someone just do a cutdown to his arm and use a #12 needle...Nice, large, and with a huge flow rate...
Failing that, switch to a much faster drug...99% pure heroin should do the trick...say, about 150CC of pure heroin would result in death almost in seconds...
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Post by Californian on Dec 15, 2006 8:36:15 GMT -6
Why not have someone just do a cutdown to his arm and use a #12 needle...Nice, large, and with a huge flow rate... Failing that, switch to a much faster drug...99% pure heroin should do the trick...say, about 150CC of pure heroin would result in death almost in seconds... Blood donation is withdrawn with a #12 needle. It's necessary because blood is thicker than IV fluids. And heroin is no more (and probably less) potent than pentothal.
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Post by RickZ on Dec 15, 2006 8:42:54 GMT -6
"They have violated our rights and those of Angel's, who had 34 minutes of suffering," she said in a telephone interview.
Well then, let's just change the execution method to a .357 round in the back of the head. Then, I can guarantee you, there will not be hand-wringing over '34 minutes of suffering'. Of course, the executed's funeral will be closed coffin, but hey, that's a small price to pay to end such needless suffering on the part of the condemned, as well as the suffering I must endure when I read such claptrap.
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 15, 2006 8:56:12 GMT -6
No, Rick, let us use a .45 round...have the guy put on a helmet like they do horses and cows and then fire the round through the top of the head...
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Post by Matt on Dec 15, 2006 10:51:55 GMT -6
No, Rick, let us use a .45 round...have the guy put on a helmet like they do horses and cows and then fire the round through the top of the head... I couldn't agree more. A bullet to the back of the head would be so much simpler. Actually, put two or three bullets in. 100% guaranteed. We continue to play right into the hands of the Anti movement with the current LI method, tinkering with the drug protocol, debating about needle size, where to insert it on the body, etc. Anti's want to see the process "medicalized" so that they can poke holes in the qualifications of those administering the LI, and the processes, tools and systems used. I don't know what happened in Florida, except that a murdering b@stard got what he deserved. Unfortunately the way he got it is probably going to make it harder for justice to be realized in future cases. It's ironic. Our attempts to obviate the C&U argument used by the Anti movement are only succeeding in making it more difficult to actually execute the condemned. Apparently we cannot admit that the act of executing someone was never meant to be a pleasant experience.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Dec 15, 2006 11:34:29 GMT -6
I can't wait for the results of the investigation. I imagine it will go something like, "Yeah, we had to stick the guy a few times, but got him."
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Post by josephdphillips on Dec 15, 2006 11:39:56 GMT -6
No, Rick, let us use a .45 round...have the guy put on a helmet like they do horses and cows and then fire the round through the top of the head... I couldn't agree more. A bullet to the back of the head would be so much simpler. Actually, put two or three bullets in. 100% guaranteed. We continue to play right into the hands of the Anti movement with the current LI method, tinkering with the drug protocol, debating about needle size, where to insert it on the body, etc. Anti's want to see the process "medicalized" so that they can poke holes in the qualifications of those administering the LI, and the processes, tools and systems used. I don't know what happened in Florida, except that a murdering b@stard got what he deserved. Unfortunately the way he got it is probably going to make it harder for justice to be realized in future cases. It's ironic. Our attempts to obviate the C&U argument used by the Anti movement are only succeeding in making it more difficult to actually execute the condemned. Apparently we cannot admit that the act of executing someone was never meant to be a pleasant experience. Dead-on, Matt. Absolutely. Instead of firing prison officials and personnel who are too squeamish to do the job, we stupidly chose to try to make the job more pleasant. Shame on any state that wants a death penalty for murder but is too ashamed to use it.
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Post by Matt on Dec 15, 2006 12:01:01 GMT -6
Dead-on, Matt. Absolutely. Instead of firing prison officials and personnel who are too squeamish to do the job, we stupidly chose to try to make the job more pleasant. Shame on any state that wants a death penalty for murder but is too ashamed to use it. Thanks, Joe. We're already to the point now in some states where officials are offloading the responsibility of executing the condemned onto medical professionals. Asking the AMA to become involved will make certain that another LI execution will not happen in America. Your point about squeamishness had not occurred to me before now. I have been taking it on faith that officials charged with administering the DP were dedicated professionals...is it conceivable that a LI execution could be deliberately botched, so as to force a system review and possibly an indefinite moratorium? Whatever "standards" there are for executing the condemned should exist for the purpose of removing, insofar as is possible, human judgement or error in its administration. Just point the gun in this direction and pull this trigger, if you please. Not in trying to make it less painless to the condemned.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Dec 15, 2006 12:46:04 GMT -6
I couldn't agree more. A bullet to the back of the head would be so much simpler. Actually, put two or three bullets in. 100% guaranteed. We continue to play right into the hands of the Anti movement with the current LI method, tinkering with the drug protocol, debating about needle size, where to insert it on the body, etc. Anti's want to see the process "medicalized" so that they can poke holes in the qualifications of those administering the LI, and the processes, tools and systems used. I don't know what happened in Florida, except that a murdering b@stard got what he deserved. Unfortunately the way he got it is probably going to make it harder for justice to be realized in future cases. It's ironic. Our attempts to obviate the C&U argument used by the Anti movement are only succeeding in making it more difficult to actually execute the condemned. Apparently we cannot admit that the act of executing someone was never meant to be a pleasant experience. Dead-on, Matt. Absolutely. Shame on any state that wants a death penalty for murder but is too ashamed to use it. Indeed. It also doesn't do the condemned any good when we somberly pretend like the execution is a "necessary evil" that must be made as "humane" as possible in order to be tolerable.
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Post by josephdphillips on Dec 15, 2006 13:25:49 GMT -6
It also doesn't do the condemned any good when we somberly pretend like the execution is a "necessary evil" that must be made as "humane" as possible in order to be tolerable. The old "this hurts us more than it hurts you" argument. We need to change that to: "Well, actually, this hurts you a whole lot more than it hurts us." Stopping murder, and the evil that is behind it, only takes nerve. The murderers have lots of it. Do we? The guillotine is starting to look better and better. California could really use one. We'll call it the Veg-e-Matic.
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Post by josephdphillips on Dec 15, 2006 13:50:22 GMT -6
Your point about squeamishness had not occurred to me before now. I have been taking it on faith that officials charged with administering the DP were dedicated professionals...is it conceivable that a LI execution could be deliberately botched, so as to force a system review and possibly an indefinite moratorium? Whatever "standards" there are for executing the condemned should exist for the purpose of removing, insofar as is possible, human judgement or error in its administration. Just point the gun in this direction and pull this trigger, if you please. Not in trying to make it less painless to the condemned. Executions are so rare that the DP states, to my knowledge, don't hire executioners. That's unfortunate because the people selected to perform the executions have come into contact with the executees. Even the wardens form associations with the condemned, which is entirely out of line. I think the Chinese are onto something with their death van. You got that one guy who drives around, does his job, and continues on to the next venue. No emotional involvement, no pity. Just git 'er done. Sweet. I credit the antis will calling to everyone's attention the ugly, discomfiting aspects of capital punishment. However, their "we can do better" argument leaves me cold. We're already deterring 19,999 out of 20,000 people from committing murder, more or less. What exactly are we supposed to do to keep that one guy out of 20,000 from murdering? Sing a happy song? Sprinkle fairy dust on him? Shouldn't his refusal to conform to such an EASY-to-follow social rule tell us HE's the one with the problem, not US? Shouldn't we come down on him like a ton of bricks when he does that one, unforgivable act? I have no sympathy, pity or compassion for murderers. They are dead to me. I could grind them living into hamburger and wouldn't feel a thing. Why? Because I know what they did and why, and that never, ever leaves me.
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 15, 2006 15:32:14 GMT -6
I wonder why they are doing this...
We have a dead inmate, just as lethal injection is supposed to deliver. No problem...
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Post by ginger on Dec 15, 2006 15:41:09 GMT -6
Something else went on. Hope they posted him so we find out. www.cbs47.tv/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=AD2C227E-5BD3-4419-A58F-B17F81D8A596Florida governor temporarily halts executions after botched lethal injections Posted: 12/15/2006 1:04:49 PMOCALA, Fla. (AP) - Florida's governor has put a temporary halt to executions after a botched lethal injection earlier this week. Medical Examiner Doctor William Hamilton concluded that officials improperly inserted needles carrying the lethal chemicals into Angel Diaz. The execution took 34 minutes and required an extra dose of chemicals to complete. Hamilton said he also found foot-long chemical burns on Diaz' arms. Witnesses said Diaz grimaced and tried to mouth words during the execution.Governor Jeb Bush announced he's creating a commission to review lethal injection procedures, and won't sign death warrants until the panel completes its report. However, Bush is leaving office and will be succeeded by Governor-elect Charlie Crist next month. Crist has also raised questions about the Diaz execution. edited to add the link.
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Post by gman on Dec 15, 2006 18:33:56 GMT -6
All LIs should be done with a cardio stick but I can just HEAR the furor and ppl wanting to guaranty the killer doesn't get hurt when they stick him. Well, that's pretty much that then. You guys are going to lose the DP within a spread of years over this sort of garbage. Hats off to the abolition movement. Brilliant.
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Post by josephdphillips on Dec 15, 2006 18:38:17 GMT -6
Well, that's pretty much that then. You guys are going to lose the DP within a spread of years over this sort of garbage. Hats off to the abolition movement. Brilliant. Actually most of the abolitionists are pros. That's the problem.
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Post by Californian on Dec 15, 2006 18:50:53 GMT -6
As predicted-the IV infiltrated. Can't the goddam state of Florida afford jelco catheters instead of a plain old needle?
Yeesh.
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Post by gman on Dec 15, 2006 19:23:44 GMT -6
Well, that's pretty much that then. You guys are going to lose the DP within a spread of years over this sort of garbage. Hats off to the abolition movement. Brilliant. Actually most of the abolitionists are pros. That's the problem. Ironic, but true.
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