Missouri’s first execution in almost three years is a little more than three weeks away. The corrections department is putting its people in place for the July 30th execution of methamphetamine user and dealer John Middleton, who killed another meth dealer to keep the man from snitching on him.
Middleton has been in prison, waiting for execution, since April of 19-97.
Missouri has not executed anyone since October, 2005. The execution of Michael Taylor in February, 2006 was delayed until courts court rule whether Missouri’s three-drug lethal injection is constitutional. The courts say it is and say that Missouri’s injection method is proper.
Corrections Department spokesman Brian Hauswirth says the execution team is assembled, including an anesthesiologist who will oversee the drug dosages. But it will be non-medical prison employees who will do the injection because of medical ethics concerns. He says an anesthesiologist will insert the I-V lines and will supervise the injections. But two department employees will actually do the injections.
Middleton is at the Potosi prison. He’ll be moved to the Bonne Terre prison a few days before his execution. He’s one of 14 inmates for which the Attorney General has asked the state supreme court to set an execution date.