LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Attorneys representing Arkansas death row inmates are citing troubles in neighboring Oklahoma as they urge a judge to halt eight upcoming executions.
A court filing Thursday draws attention to the case of Oklahoma inmate Charles Warner, who was executed in January. Oklahoma prison officials said they used potassium chloride as the final drug in the lethal injection, but a newly released autopsy report shows that potassium acetate was used instead.
The filing from attorney Jeff Rosenzweig says the situation highlights why transparency in executions is needed. Arkansas, like Oklahoma, has a state law that keeps the source of execution drugs confidential.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen heard arguments in the case Wednesday and is expected to rule by early next week. The first executions are set for Oct. 21.