State Court Says Oklahoma's Lethal Injection Protocol Is Humane

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Monday ruled that the way Oklahoma executes killers by lethal injection is constitutional, humane and effective.<br/><br/>The unanimous ruling

Monday, June 19th 2006, 9:47 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Monday ruled that the way Oklahoma executes killers by lethal injection is constitutional, humane and effective.

The unanimous ruling came on an appeal by James Patrick Malicoat, who was convicted of murdering his 13-month-old daughter in 1997 in Chickasha. The toddler suffered abdominal bleeding, broken ribs, bite marks and extensive bruising while in Malicoat's care.

The court also set an execution date of August 22nd for Malicoat.

A public defender had filed a protest to Malicoat's execution, arguing that the state's death procedure "creates a substantial risk" that Malicoat would experience excruciating pain.

The court ruled that Malicoat failed to back up that claim through affidavits and suggested that Oklahoma meets contemporary standards of decency.