Allowing a condemned killer with health problems to partially sit up during his execution next month would be a “reasonable” accommodation, according to a doctor working for Ohio’s prison system.
Death row inmate Alva Campbell became mildly agitated when officials tried lowering him to a normal execution position in an Oct. 19 test, according to a medical review by Dr. James McWeeney, a contractor for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
McWeeney noted there were no objective findings such as increased pulse rate or breathing to corroborate Campbell’s anxiety.
“Nevertheless, given the events observed at this examination and the patient’s underlying pulmonary and mental health disorders, it would be reasonable to make an accommodation for the patient during the execution process that would permit him to lay in a semi-recumbent position,” the doctor wrote.
McWeeney also said he couldn’t find veins suitable for inserting an IV on either of Campbell’s arms.
Read more at apnews.com