Two Executions Move Ahead, Despite ACLU's Attempt To Stop Them

October 07, 2013

Two planned executions will proceed despite the efforts of the American Civil Liberties Union to prove the drug being used in their execution does not meet standards. Pentobarbital is among the three drugs used in an execution. The barbiturate is difficult to obtain since the manufacturer stopped selling it for executions.

Arizona Department of Corrections reported it is using Pentobarbital in two death sentences this month. The ACLU sued the corrections department, wanting DOC to release the name of its distributor, hoping to find grounds to stop the executions.

A Maricopa County Superior Court Judge ruled on Monday DOC does not have to reveal the name of the drug maker.

ACLU’s Dan Pochoda said after the hearing he was disappointed.

"We’re talking about a human life. There’s no reversible actions here, if a person is killed and is later found that it was done in an improper or illegal matter,” said Pochoda.

Arizona death-row prisoner Edward Schad is scheduled to be executed Wednesday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined on Monday a motion for a stay of execution. Another prisoner, Robert Jones, is set to die on Oct. 23.