Oklahoma Uses Substitute Drug for Execution

The 46th Execution of 2010

Oklahoma officials executed convicted murderer John David Duty using a drug combination that included a sedative, pentobarbital, commonly used to euthanize animals. A nationwide shortage of sodium thiopental forced the state to look for alternative drugs to carry out Duty's executin.

Duty was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in Mcalister. The Associated Press reported that Duty is believed to be the first person in the United States whose execution included the use of pentobarbital.

Duty pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the 2001 slaying of 22-year-old Curtis Wise. At the time, Duty was serving three life sentences for rape, robbery and shooting with intent to kill.

According to court records reviewed by the Associated Press, Duty convinced Wise he could get some cigarettes if Wise pretended to be his hostage so that Duty could be transferred into administrative segregation. Wise agreed to let Duty bind his hands behind his back. Duty then strangled him with a sheet, court records state.

Investigators said Duty penned a letter to Wise's mother immediately after the killing, saying, "Well by the time you get this letter you will already know that your son is dead. I know now because I just killed him an hour ago. Gee you'd think I'd be feeling some remorse but I'm not."

In spite of his incredibly heartless letter, Duty chose to ask for forgiveness from the very people he taunted-apparently he was able to feel the remorse that had elluded him immediately after the murder. According to the Associated Press, Duty apologized to his victim's family while strapped to a gurney awaiting the lethal injection. "I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me, not for my sake, but for your own," Duty said. "Thank you, Lord Jesus. I'm ready to go home."

The lethal drugs began to flow at 6:12 p.m., and Duty's breathing became labored one minute later. At 6:15 p.m., he appeared to stop breathing and the color began to drain from his face.

To read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5go48ECcH2Ue6sSH2lOZY4KR-cm3g?docId=52f78259ad8847d8ba61b0b73387ad39