Arkansas execution drug expiring before ruling takes effect

Executions have been set for (top row, from left) Kenneth Williams, Jack Jones Jr., Marcel Williams, Bruce Earl Ward, and (bottom row, from left) Don Davis, Stacey Johnson, Jason McGehee and Ledell Lee.
Executions have been set for (top row, from left) Kenneth Williams, Jack Jones Jr., Marcel Williams, Bruce Earl Ward, and (bottom row, from left) Don Davis, Stacey Johnson, Jason McGehee and Ledell Lee.

LITTLE ROCK — One of Arkansas' execution drugs will expire before a state Supreme Court decision upholding the state's execution law goes into effect.

A spokesman for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said Friday that she will not ask the state's Supreme Court to expedite finalizing its Thursday ruling that upheld the state's execution secrecy law.

Generally rulings become final 18 days after opinions are issued. Without the attorney general's request, the ruling will go into effect July 11. That's 11 days after the state's supply of a paralytic used in executions expires.

The court ruled Thursday in a split 4-3 decision that the state's three-drug protocol and the law that allows Arkansas to keep its source of drugs confidential are constitutional.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events