<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> Missouri executions on hold because of federal review

June 24, 2009 09:40 am

— JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Executions effectively are on hold again in Missouri.
Incoming Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr. said Tuesday that it’s unlikely the state Supreme Court will schedule any additional executions while a federal stay is in place for the execution of Reginald Clemons.
The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals put a hold on Clemons’ scheduled June 17 execution after his attorneys challenged Missouri’s lethal injection procedures. They are seeking further court proceedings to ensure Missouri is using competent personnel who will not put inmates in pain with insufficient amounts of anesthesia before lethal injections.
Price said a federal decision in the Clemons case could apply to all Missouri inmates facing execution. So although numerous execution requests are pending, it’s unlikely the court will schedule any more.
“We’re back on hold,” Price said when asked Tuesday by The Associated Press about the status of Missouri’s execution.
Executions are set by the full seven-member Supreme Court, not just the chief justice, but Price said he doubted the court would “do anything so long as the 8th Circuit is looking at issues of general applicability.”