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South Carolina death row inmate told to choose between execution methods (apnews.com)
submitted 2 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
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South Carolina prison officials told death row inmate Richard Moore on Tuesday that he can choose between a firing squad, the electric chair and lethal injection for his Nov. 1 execution.

State law gives Moore until Oct. 18 to decide or by default he will be electrocuted. His execution would mark the second in South Carolina after a 13-year pause due to the state not being able to obtain a drug needed for lethal injection.

Moore, 59, is facing the death penalty for the September 1999 shooting of store clerk James Mahoney. Moore went into the Spartanburg County store unarmed to rob it and the two ended up in a shootout after Moore was able to take one of Mahoney's guns. Moore was wounded, while Mahoney died from a bullet to the chest.

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[-] DandomRude@lemmy.world 50 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I know a guy who works for a pharmaceutical company that refused to supply a drug that is sometimes used in executions (not a poison, but a fast-acting anesthetic). After US prisons tried to order the drug through straw men and deliberately misrepresenting its use, the company stopped selling it to the US altogether. This is presumably a loss for US doctors, as this drug is typically used in trauma surgery. All the more reason to finally abolish the death penalty - it is barbaric anyway.

[-] TimLovesTech@badatbeing.social 24 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The amount of money and hoops these assholes that have a homicide fantasy go through to get the proper drug is kinda wild. And as per usual John Oliver covered it well in his Executions video.

[-] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 4 points 2 months ago

Especially when nitrogen is abundantly available. But, cruelty is the point of these things, so a painless method won't ever be used.

[-] TimLovesTech@badatbeing.social 5 points 2 months ago

Nitrogen doesn't actually work any better (I believe it was actually worse since the idea is based off junk science), and I believe John touches on that in the video I linked above also.

[-] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 13 points 2 months ago

You're thinking of the execution where they used a mask instead of a chamber like you're supposed to.

And it's not junk science that nitrogen inhalation causes hypoxia.

[-] TimLovesTech@badatbeing.social 1 points 2 months ago

And it’s not junk science that nitrogen inhalation causes hypoxia.

I was stating the part about using nitrogen as an "easy and painless" death were based off junk science, well not even science really, just people that know that it kills people and looking for new ways to use it legally to do so.

You’re thinking of the execution where they used a mask instead of a chamber like you’re supposed to.

The use of chamber, would require even more of an investment to make safe. If it were to leak during the execution, or staff opened the chamber before it was completely removed it could endanger the lives of everyone in the facility. I also think the results with a mask or chamber would be in the end the same, someone gasping for breath while suffocating to death.

Also here is a bit about nitrogen executions, and the horrific job done in Alabama last year.

[-] itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 months ago

As divers can tell you, you gasp from carbon dioxide buildup, not from lack of oxygen. That's why repeatedly breathing in helium to pitch up your voice can be really dangerous, you don't notice your body is out of oxygen. I believe nitrogen has potential for assisted suicide, like in the Swiss case that has gained some controversy recently.

The death penalty, however, is barbaric no matter how it's performed. Cruelty is the point.

[-] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 3 points 2 months ago

No, using a chamber wouldn't put the whole facility at risk. A ventilation system would be pretty easy, or you could have the chamber outside or something.

Also, I referenced the Alabama case originally. They used a mask instead of a chamber.

[-] TimLovesTech@badatbeing.social 1 points 2 months ago

A meant a leak in the chamber would possibly put the facility at risk, not just having the chamber. And we know the kind of maintenance a chamber used maybe a handful of times a year is going to get to keep it air tight. Plus it's added cost to the already absurd cost of killing someone, instead of actually trying to rehabilitate them (will always be some that cannot be of course). And putting it outside then makes the air tight chamber subjected to the weather/elements, adding more cost in maintenance.

And I know you mentioned the mask vs chamber thing, but I don't see it going differently just because they are going to vacuum oxygen out and nitrogen in. And would also add the cost of further staff training on opening a chamber full of nitrogen (potentially) rather than a room with possibly some nitrogen from a leaking mask. Just don't see the cost analysis of this being in the ballpark of cost effective when we could put that money to better use.

[-] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 1 points 2 months ago

A leak in the chamber wouldn't put the whole facility at risk. This isn't Zyklon B; it takes a lot of nitrogen to cause hypoxia.

And using a mask increases blood CO2 levels which is what caused the issues in Alabama.

[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 38 points 2 months ago

How in the actual fuck is this Person on death row, while wastes of DNA like Kyle Rittenhouse walk free?

[-] Dirk@lemmy.ml 22 points 2 months ago

So, the government murdering people by law is still a thing in the USA?

[-] OhStopYellingAtMe@lemmy.world 25 points 2 months ago

In 27 of the 50 states, it’s still legal. Of those 27, 6 have put all executions on hold indefinitely.

[-] skulblaka@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago

Meanwhile South Carolina has been busy putting in a fuckin express lane

[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 12 points 2 months ago

Huge opioid overdose, while in a flaming propane truck, hurtling off a huge cliff, into a minefield

[-] TimLovesTech@badatbeing.social 11 points 2 months ago

If his crime was that bad, why wait 25 years to execute him? The guy also didn't go into the store armed and looking to kill someone, he just wanted money for drugs, but then had a gun pulled on him and then exchanged shots with the shop keeper who pulled yet another firearm out. If this had been Zimmerman or Rittenhouse they might have called it "self defense". The guy seems more than willing to accept responsibility for his actions and remain in prison for the rest of his natural life. My hot take is to let him do as he suggested, remain in prison and help to rehabilitate those he can, kinda like the idea of what prison was supposed to do. If they need to kill inmates, why not save it for the people that have no remorse for what they have done?

[-] funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 months ago

because there are people out there so desperate to kill someone legally they'll do anything include wait 25 years to do it

[-] ryan213@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 months ago

"I choose death by natural causes."

[-] SkybreakerEngineer@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man

[-] NoiseColor@startrek.website 7 points 2 months ago

Firing squad any day.

[-] Bluefalcon@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago

My luck, I would get the local sheriff's Stormtrooper squad.

[-] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 months ago

Holy cow, I thought the electric chair was removed in all states. Gruesome

[-] interrobang@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 months ago

The electric chair built in 1912 - Its fine tho, they tested it in Sept!

Smdh. Absolutely barbaric.

[-] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 months ago

Last electrocution was in 2020. Yeesh.

[-] Bluefalcon@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago

1912 was a great year. People act like we have learned and grown a lot since then. I routinely take a boat from New York to England.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_in_science

[-] DmMacniel@feddit.org 3 points 2 months ago

why not go for the hattrick? Frying on the Stool while being under lethal injection and as the final nail to the coffin a bullet in every chamber of the firing squad. They want the most gruesome way to see that guy go, no?

[-] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

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