A bill to expand methods used to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in House Criminal Justice Tuesday. Bill sponsor Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello was asked by Pineville Representative Mike Johnson why the state has difficulty carrying out death sentences.
“We can’t get the drugs to perform the execution,” said Muscarello.
“Tell me why that is,” Johnson asked.
“Because the drug companies don’t want to provide them because they are scared of being picketed and exposed and it’s just not feasible for them. They just don’t want to get in the fight,” said Muscarello.
The last death row inmate executed in Louisiana was in 2010.
The bill would allow Louisiana to return to the use of the electric chair and add other lethal methods, for example, nitrogen gas was recently used to execute an inmate in Alabama. A letter read on behalf of Louisiana nurse anesthetist Johnathan Grandon urged lawmakers to vote against it.
“Nitrogen Hypoxia was previously used by veterinarians to euthanize animals and was discontinued because of the obvious stress and distress and pain that animals experienced during the process,” said Grandin.
The use of the electric chair in Louisiana was previously revoked because it was deemed cruel and unusual punishment.
Muscarello said many assume House Bill 6 is about allowing the death penalty to proceed in Louisiana. He said it’s a common misconception because it’s already legal and he reiterated that with Johnson.
“The legality of the death penalty is in the books,” Muscarello said.
“So whatever personal challenges we have with the death penalty, this bill is not about that argument,” Johnson asked.
“Absolutely not,” Muscarello replied.
A statement was read on behalf of Brett Malone, the son of Mary Ann Shaver Malone, who was murdered in 2000 urged lawmakers to reject adding additional methods of execution.
“The methods of killing people in our state outlined in HB6 are barbaric,” said Malone.
Malone’s letter said he wanted his family’s legacy to be one of mercy and he wants the state to forgo executing his mother’s murderer.
In committee, the bill was amended to provide counseling for those involved in carrying out an execution. The bill passed unopposed and will get another Wednesday in front of House Criminal Justice Committee.
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