politics
The doctor who helps put prisoners to death
On 13 August, three states are set to carry out executions by lethal injection. It’s the first time since 2010 that three people will be put to death on the same day in the US. In Tennessee, the execution of Darrell Hines is in the spotlight, because the last lethal injection in the state was botched. Ed Pilkington speaks to Kai Wright about the doctor at the center of that botched execution, whose identity was revealed inadvertently last year. Ed explains how his reporting has lifted the lid on a role that is usually hidden away from public view, and what it tells us about the American death penalty today
TL;DR
- Three states are scheduled for lethal injections on August 13th.
- This is the first time since 2010 that three executions are planned for the same day.
- Darrell Hines' execution in Tennessee is under scrutiny due to a previous botched lethal injection.
- Ed Pilkington's reporting has identified the doctor central to the botched execution.
- This revelation highlights the usually hidden role of doctors in the American death penalty system.