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Federal Judge Tours New San Quentin Death Chamber

There are 720 inmates awaiting execution on San Quentin's death row. U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel, who placed executions on hold in 2006 due to concerns that the chamber was antiquated and did not ensure a humane death, toured the new $900,000 death chamber today.

Judge Fogel didn't indicate whether his concerns have been satisfied, and will issue rulings later. He toured the old facility in 2006. Here's how the old procedure worked, according to San Quentin Operational Procedure No. 770. The 2007 revised protocol is here, but that too was declared invalid Then the state enacted Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15 3349 et seq. Here is Judge Fogel's September, 2010 ruling after the 9th Circuit remanded his decision on that.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Hmm... (none / 0) (#1)
    by Matt v on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 01:16:14 AM EST
     I believe the judge was concerned that the chamber did not ensure a humane death.

    good catch (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 01:27:58 AM EST
    I fixed it. Thanks.

    Parent
    Is there such thing as a humane execution? (none / 0) (#3)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 08:24:06 AM EST


    If you consider euthanasia... (none / 0) (#4)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 08:50:52 AM EST
    an execution, yeah...otherwise no.  Unless you consider lwop a worse fate than death...and I might, if escape was impossible.

    BTW, good luck today brother, saw your comment about the axes falling at your shop.  

    Parent

    Thanks, found out I'm not one (none / 0) (#5)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:47:33 AM EST
    But since I fall under the Security Dep, I have to help escort everyone out today after they get the shock of their lives. These are no notice terms.  Talk about someone who is going to need a drink after work.

    And when I was driving to work this morning a black cat ran across the street and I had to step on the brakes pretty  hard not to run him over. sheez!

    Parent

    By the way (none / 0) (#6)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:50:41 AM EST
    didn't know if you had seen this story in your rounds yesterday. Kid was acquitted in Juvenile Court and retried in adult court.

    Parent
    WTF?? (none / 0) (#7)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 01:04:57 PM EST
    "humane death"???

    Democratic cowardice (none / 0) (#8)
    by diogenes on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:46:08 PM EST
    The Democrats control the entire state of California.  The Democratic governor, Jerry Brown, can commute every death sentence in the state if he wishes.  Stop hiding under behind judicial roadblocks; we are a democracy, are we not?