Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal judge is set to hear arguments filed by 21 Oklahoma death row inmates seeking to block their executions.
A hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot Thursday in the lawsuit that alleges the state’s lethal injection guidelines present a risk of severe pain and suffering.
It was filed following the April 29 execution of Clayton Lockett, who writhed, moaned and clenched his teeth before he was pronounced dead 43 minutes after the execution began.
State investigators released a report last month that blamed Lockett’s flawed execution on poor placement of intravenous lines. Friot has instructed state attorneys to provide him with a copy of the report that he says will help him decide motions in the lawsuit.