Lacking Enough Execution Drugs, Virginia Eyes Electric Chair

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Lacking Enough Execution Drugs, Virginia Eyes Electric Chair

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, ASSOCIATED PRESS RICHMOND, Va. — Feb 3, 2016, 11:27 AM ET

A bill that would force inmates to die by electric chair if lethal injection drugs can't be found is gaining steam in Virginia.

That's because the state has run out of the drugs and there is a looming execution scheduled March 16 for convicted killer Ricky Gray. The state is currently searching for lethal injection drugs.

Even if the bill passes, it wouldn't go into effect in time for the scheduled execution. Supporters of the electric chair bill say the state must ensure an option is in place for future inmates or in the event that Gray's execution is delayed.

At least eight states, including Virginia, allow the electric chair, but Tennessee is the only one that forces inmates to be electrocuted if the drugs can't be found.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/lacking-execution-drugs-virginia-eyes-electric-chair-36688651

[randys1]

1. Absolute madness we allow government sanctioned killings.

No matter whether they are so called humane or not, absurd.

Humane killing, now there is an oxymoron.

[cwydro]

7. Agree.

We are the only "civilized" western country that allows this.

It makes me ashamed.

[NightWatcher]

2. Why not stone them or crucify, or sic a pack of wild dogs on him?

The death penalty is barbaric, archaic, and unjustly applied to the poor and minorities.

[Rex]

3. Well, the trains must run on time. nt

nt

[Hoppy]

4. Fucking gouhls.

[Binkie The Clown]

5. I do NOT favor capital punishment, but it's bewildering to me...

why they don't just use carbon monoxide. Exhaust fumes from a car in the garage, charcoal barbecue in closed room. From what I've read it's quick and painless. You fall asleep, and you don't wake up. The answer is so simple, why do they have to complicate everything with machines and drugs?

[Xithras]

11. Nitrogen would be better

Not that there's any better way to murder someone, but there are certain physical reactions to carbon monoxide that could cause discomfort during death. Shortness of breath and nausea are fairly common side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

There have been a few analysis that have shown that there are a few methods that would be fairly effective. Using a Nitrox filled gas chamber would work. Nitrox is similar to the air we already breathe, and is generally 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. By gradually reducing the oxygen level while scrubbing CO2, the person would simply drift off to sleep without any sort of discomfort. Simply shifting the oxygen level down from 21% to 5% over 30 minutes would be completely imperceptible to the person in the chamber. They'd feel a bit tired, would fall asleep as it passed the 15% mark, and would die as the number hit the bottom.

You can do the same thing quicker with a 100% nitrogen chamber, and it's still relatively painless, but the person will be a lot more aware of what is happening so it's less humane.

Of course, the most humane way to do it is simply a captive bolt to the lower skull. Instantaneous cessation of brain functions means no sensation of pain. It's a bit bloody though, so we won't ever go there.

[TipTok]

6. What about a firing squad?

That should be pretty easy to set up...

___________________________________________________

Gray's Victims...

In the early afternoon of January 1, 2006, Kathryn, Bryan, Stella, and Ruby Harvey, a family of four, were found dead: beaten, slashed, and bound with electrical cord and tape in the basement of their burning house in the Woodland Heights district of Richmond, Virginia.

Kathryn Harvey, 39, was the co-owner of a popular local toy shop called "World of Mirth" in the Carytown district of Richmond, and the half-sister of actor Steven Culp. Bryan Harvey, 49, was an indie musician of note, a former member of House of Freaks, a two-man college rock band in Richmond. Their daughters Stella and Ruby were 9 and 4, respectively. Bryan and Kathryn died of blunt-force trauma to the head, Stella of smoke inhalation and blunt-force trauma to the head, and Ruby of stab wounds to her back, one of which punctured her lung.
Chesterfield home invasion

On January 3, 2006, a couple living on Hollywood Drive in Chesterfield County, Virginia, were robbed by two men and a woman who had gained entry to their house by pretending to ask for directions. The robbers stole several items including a computer and a television as well as $800 in cash. The husband was able to dissuade the gang from tying them up by drawing attention to the wife's disability and his need to assist her.


On January 6, 2006, the police received a call from a Chesterfield resident who was concerned about her daughter's friend, a 21-year-old named Ashley Baskerville. The caller suspected that Gray and Dandridge, her former houseguests and former and current boyfriends of Ashley, were involved in the Harvey murders. The police found items at the Chesterfield home linked to the Harvey case, and stormed the house on East Broad Rock Road where Ashley lived with her mother, 46-year-old Mary Baskerville-Tucker, and her stepfather, 55-year-old Percyell Tucker. Percyell worked as a forklift driver and Mary was employed at a dry cleaning establishment. All three members of the Baskerville-Tucker family were found dead, gagged and bound with tape in their ransacked house. Percyell and Mary had also been slashed across the throat. The three had suffocated due to the layers of duct tape wrapped around their heads. Ashley had a plastic bag wrapped around her head as well, secured with duct tape.

____________________________________________

Confession:

On the morning of January 7, 2006, Gray and Dandridge were arrested in Philadelphia, where Dandridge's father Ronald Wilson lived. Approximately one hour after the arrest, Dandridge confessed to killing the Tuckers and Ashley Baskerville. Twelve hours after the arrest, Gray asked to speak with a detective, then proceeded to provide a detailed, three-page confession in which he described using a kitchen knife and claw hammer to kill the Harveys, stating "I don't believe sorry is strong enough. None of this was necessary." In subsequent confessions, he admitted to beating his wife Treva to death while Dandridge held her down, to being an accomplice in the Tucker-Baskerville murders, and to the attack on Ryan Carey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Richmond_spree_murders

[cwydro]

8. That's awful.

Jesus.

[Kingofalldems]

9. So what if an innocent person is executed? Who pays for that?

[TipTok]

10. The standard of proof in these cases should be very high...

In this case, I'm comfortable that it has been met and exceeded.

Beyond that, case by case should continue to meet that high standard.