P R E S S   R E L E A S E
from
F L O R I D I A N S   FOR   A L T E R N A T I V E S
                                   TO THE DEATH PENALTY   (FADP)



May 10, 2007

Sent by:
Mark Elliott
Director, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, FADP.org
(727) 215-9646
mark@fadp.org

CONTACT:
Jonathan I. Groner MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Office phone:  614-722-3919
Cell Phone:  614-204-1824


FLORIDA'S NEW LETHAL INJECTION PROTOCOL IS A MEDICAL CHARADE


In response to Florida’s new lethal injection procedure, Jonathan I. Groner MD,
nationally recognized expert on lethal injection commented:

"Florida’s new lethal injection procedure does nothing to address the problems
that occurred during the torture-execution of Angel Diaz, who took 34 minutes to
die and had 11 and 12 inch chemical burns on his arms due to faulty peripheral
IV insertions and a failure of adequate monitoring during the execution.

"Furthermore, the protocol retains the use of pancuronium bromide, a muscle
paralyzing chemical that masks all symptoms of suffering during a lethal
injection.  Recently published research from Florida’s own University of Miami
School of Medicine suggests that inmates may be inadequately anesthetized during
lethal injection and may die of pancuroniun induced asphyxiation.

"Finally, the duties and roles described in the new lethal injection protocol,
such assessing level of consciousness during administration of anesthesia,
central line placement, venous cutdown ("wherein a vein is exposed surgically
and a cannula inserted”) clearly require the skills of a highly trained medical
professional such as a physician.  Yet these procedures are carried out by a
"member of the execution team” with unknown qualifications, who is unlikely to
have medical expertise.

"Florida’s lethal injection procedure remains fundamentally flawed.  The new
protocol does nothing more than create the illusion that the procedure has
improved.  It is my opinion that another torture-execution could easily happen
again."









**********
SENT BY:

      Mark Elliott
      Spokesperson
      Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
      800-973-6548
      mark@fadp.org
      www.fadp.org
      PMB 335, 2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy,
      Gainesville, FL 32609


Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty works for restorative
justice in the form of effective alternatives to the death penalty. It
does so by

* supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and individuals
* educating and energizing the general public and state legislators
* supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and punishment
* advocating specific legislative improvements