After the lengthy lull in executions — owing to legal challenges and the drug shortage — Arkansas state authorities say the lethal injections scheduled between April 17 and April 27 are overdue. A state corrections department spokesman declined to answer questions about the state’s decision to act before the expiration date. If the seven executions in Arkansas are carried out, the state would eliminate one-fifth of its entire death row population. Givens and the other corrections officials also worry that the pace “will increase the chance” of a mistake. Oklahoma abruptly called off another execution in 2015 when state officials realized they had again obtained the wrong drug.

Source: Washington Post April 07, 2017 17:56 UTC