The State Corrections Department is evaluating the latest order from a federal judge that it change its execution protocol. But Judge Fernando Gaitan has dropped his demand that a board-certified anesthesiologist either mix the fatal chemicals or oversee the mixing of them. Instead, Gaitan says the state has to use some kind of specially-trained doctor. And he says the State Board of Healing Arts cannot discipline a doctor who helps the Department execute inmates. He also says the state must include additional safeguards to make sure inmates are adequately anesthetized before the injection of the two drugs that stop the heart and lungs. He’s given the Department until October 27th to submit a second revised protocol.
