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Judge upholds Tennessee lethal injection method

Tennessee has not executed an inmate for more than five years because of legal challenges and problems obtaining lethal injection drugs.
The lethal injection chamber of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on Oct. 9, 2012.
The lethal injection chamber of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on Oct. 9, 2012.
By Associated Press, Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- A Tennessee judge has upheld the state's lethal injection process for executing inmates.

Davidson County Chancery Judge Claudia Bonnyman said Wednesday from the bench that the plaintiffs, 33 death row inmates, didn't prove that the one-drug method led to a painful and lingering death.

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She also said the plaintiffs didn't show during a lengthy trial that there have been problems in states where the method has been used.

There was no immediate comment from attorneys for either side.

Tennessee has not executed an inmate for more than five years because of legal challenges and problems obtaining lethal injection drugs.

Lawmakers have considered proposals to move from a three-drug lethal injection method to a one-drug method and to reinstate the electric chair as a backup. Both changes brought challenges.