The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Kentucky’s use of lethal injections, and that may pave the way for Missouri to resume the death penalty as well, something that Brian Hauswirth, with the Missouri Department of Corrections, says is not up to his department. Hauswirth says the public often misunderstands their policies when it comes to the death penalty
"A lot of people think the Missouri Department of Corrections is pro death penalty," said Hauswirth, "we simply carry out the court’s orders. We carry out what we are statutorily required to do under Missouri state law."
While the Department of Corrections is already reviewing the extensive ruling, they do not have an immediate response. Hauswirth says that he is not sure how the ruling will impact the state of Missouri.
"At this point Missouri Supreme Court has not scheduled any execution dates. So, two things," said Hauswirth, "Number one; we will review the ruling. We’ll review it very carefully and take the time we need to review this, and, number two; we’ll await further court action, if any comes. We really don’t know what this ruling is going to mean."
In the meantime, a statement from Attorney General Jay Nixon’s office asks that Missourians remember "many families of murder victims in Missouri have waited 15 years or more for justice in their cases."
