Death penalty
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Death penalty

Date: March 12, 2014
By: Shannon O'Brien
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB804, SB787, SB775

Intro: 
Through a Senate measure, Missouri lawmakers want to require the state to reveal the provider of execution drugs.
RunTime:  0:36
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would prohibit the state from buying execution drugs with cash or coins.

Currently, from whom and where executions drugs are being bought is done behind closed doors.

Senator Rob Schaaf said the bill is intended to make executions more transparent for Missourians.

Actuality:  SCHAAF3.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "They actually don't have to promulgate rules regarding the process of executions. This bill would say you got to have rules for that and how you're going to do it."

There were no opposition testimonies at the hearing and Schaaf said he has not had anyone voice concerns about his bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon O'Brien.

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers were urged in a Senate committee hearing to make public where the state gets drugs to execute criminals.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would prohibit execution drugs from being bought with cash or coins.

By doing this, there would be a traceable record of from whom and where the drug was bought.

Sean O'Brien is an associate law professor at UMKC Law School and said an unregulated process is risky.  

Actuality:  OBRIEN.WAV
Run Time:  00:17
Description: "We should do it in the light of day, so that we know what chemicals are being used, we know where they're coming from we know that we have done what is constitutionally necessary and responsible to minimize the risk of a lingering and painful death."

Senator Rob Schaaf said the bill is a response to confusion that has surrounded Missouri executions recently.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon O'Brien.