Baze v. Rees
Q & A
1. What questions has the U.S. Supreme Court asked the parties to address?
1. Does the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibit means for carrying out a method of execution that creates an unnecessary risk of pain and suffering as opposed to only a substantial risk of the wanton infliction of pain?
2. Do the means for carrying out an execution cause an unnecessary risk of pain and suffering in violation of the Eighth Amendment upon a showing that readily available alternatives that pose less risk of pain and suffering could be used?
3. Does the continued use of sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide, and potassium chloride, individually or together, violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Eighth Amendment because lethal injection can be carried out by using other chemicals that pose less risk of pain and suffering?
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