- The state of South Dakota asked a judge Monday to reject an inmate’s objection to the lethal drug scheduled for use in his execution. Rhines moved last week to block the execution by arguing that pentobarbital, commonly used to euthanize animals, doesn’t act quickly enough. A South Dakota circuit court judge is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday. Pentobarbital was used last year when South Dakota executed Rodney Berget, who killed a prison guard during a 2011 escape attempt. An exact date for Rhines’ execution hasn’t been announced.

Source: thestar October 28, 2019 20:48 UTC