Oklahoma looks to start gas executions in prisons

Updated: Thursday, March 5, 2015 | FOX



OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - Gas executions are one step closer to becoming law in Oklahoma. Members of the House of Representatives voted 85 to 10 to allow the state to use nitrogen hypoxia when lethal injection drugs are not available.

Bill author Mike Christian says he started to look at the issue after the botched lethal injection execution of Clayton Lockett last April in Oklahoma.


“Members here in the House, we recognize that we have a problem and we have found a solution,” says Christian.


He adds that the bill would not allow a gas chamber. It would pump the gas to an inmate through a mask or a hood. It’s supposed to knock someone unconscious in seconds and stop the heart within minutes. Christian says this method of euthanasia is used in “right to die” countries. The bill would make electrocution the next back up and then a firing squad.


The bill next goes to the Senate. Death penalty opponents say they are disappointed the bill passed so easily, but not surprised.


“It seems to me that searching for new ways to implement the death penalty is an act of looking for the right way to do the wrong thing,” says Rev. Adam Leathers.

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