On May 21st, Missouri is scheduled to carry out the first execution since the horrific botched execution of Clayton Lockett.
What’s worse: there’s a high probability that Russell Bucklew’s execution will be just as horrifying as Clayton Lockett’s.
Russell suffers from cavernous hemangioma, a vascular condition that medical experts say increases the risk of a painful, botched execution.
Missouri's refusal to stop the execution of Russell Bucklew proves just how cruel the death penalty is and why it must come to an end.
The reason for this: as the rest of the world moves away from the death penalty, states are having a harder time procuring the drugs used to carry out executions. In response, states have turned to experimenting with controversial, lethal injection protocols and never tried before drug cocktails. Cocktails that have been considered not suitable to euthanize animals and banned in at least one U.S. state.
This cannot go on. From Ohio to Oklahoma, there have been reports of inmates writhing while strapped to their gurney.
Then the curtains close: When inmates undergoing lethal injection begin to show signs of distress, a curtain is drawn or blinds are lowered, so witnesses in the viewing gallery can no longer see inside the death chamber.
It’s time to stop turning a blind eye. Missouri’s refusal to stop the execution of Russell Bucklew proves just how cruel the death penalty is and why it must come to an end.
We hope that the Governor of Missouri will realize what we have known for decades. To move forward with such an inherently cruel and unjust punishment is the ultimate denial of human rights. We hope the Governor realizes this before the clock runs out.
Join me in calling on the Governor of Missouri to do the right thing and stop the execution of Russell Bucklew. Email him with this link, call him at 571-751-3222 or tweet @GovJayNixon with a message such as:
Missouri can’t close the curtains on #humanrights. @GovJayNixon, stop the execution of #RussellBucklew!