Supreme Court refuses to ban controversial method of execution

Richard Wolf, USA TODAY 10:03 a.m. EDT June 29, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court refused Monday to limit states' use of a controversial execution method that opponents have likened to being burned alive.

The court's conservative majority said lethal injection remains the most humane method of execution. During oral arguments in April, they had blamed opponents for exacerbating a shortage of drugs that has forced some states to experiment with less reliable alternatives.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote the decision for the court. All four liberal justices dissented.

To prohibit the use of midazolam, a sedative that has left some death row prisoners apparently able to feel pain from the next two drugs in a three-drug cocktail, would have unfairly tied the states' hands, the justices ruled.

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