Arizona Department of Corrections

A view from the viewing area outside the injection room in Florence, Arizona.

The state of Arizona has eliminated its use of the sedative midazolam as one of the drugs it relies on in carrying out executions.

Lawyers for the state said in a court filing Friday that its current supply of midazolam expired on May 31 and that Arizona's sources of the drug have dried up.

"I don't think this is going to end capital punishment int he state of Arizona," said Michael Kiefer, who has covered the story extensively for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. It will, however, put the process on hold.