http://seattletimes.nwsource.
com/html/
localnews/
2011373880_
apwascowdeathpen
alty.html
WA Supreme Court to hear death penalty debate
The state Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of the state's execution process.
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of the state's execution process.
Thursday morning, the high court will hear debate on whether one aspect of a lawsuit filed by a death row inmate who is challenging the constitutionality of death penalty procedures is now moot because of a recent change made by the state Department of Corrections.
Earlier this month, the state revealed that it was changing its method of execution from a three-drug cocktail to a one-drug system.
The court will also consider whether the department has the authority to draft execution policy and whether lethal injection violates federal laws because a doctor doesn't obtain or administer the drugs.
