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Va. expected to set electric chair as backup when lethal injection unavailable

Would become the only state where a death-row prisoner could be forced in some circumstances to be electrocuted

By C1 Staff

RICHMOND, Va. — When lethal injection becomes unavailable, the electric chair may become the default method of execution in Virginia.

Virginia would become the only state where a death-row prisoner could be forced in some circumstances to be electrocuted, according to the Washington Post.

The bill has passed the House of Delegates and is expected to emerge from the Senate this week.

A spokesman for Governor Terry McAuliffe said he has not taken a position on signing or vetoing the legislation.