20-Apr-2017

Supreme Court lets Arkansas execute Ledell Lee

Washington, DC

Arkansas had a deadline before their midazolam drug expired. Eight men were slated for execution. There were issues with death row inmate Ledell Lee's trial (drunk defender, judge's affair with prosecutor, dubious forensic evidence, mental incapacity). New DNA testing could help.

The courts weighed the expedience of drug expiration against the science of DNA testing. Ninth Justice Neil Gorsuch cast his first Supreme Court vote with the majority in a 5-4 decision. Arkansas executed Lee last week by lethal drug injection. Drawing from news statements, Dr. Mark Perlin tells the story in his new "Justice Death" song.

Links

• With Gorsuch's Vote, Supreme Court Allows Arkansas to Execute Ledell Lee - Slate
• Neil Gorsuch and the State's Power to Kill - New York Times
• Justice Death - Soundcloud