Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/14pdf/14-7955_aplc.pdf
Page Number: 12.0

8 

GLOSSIP v. GROSS 

Opinion of the Court 

and  potassium  chloride.1    The  paralytic  agent  may  be
pancuronium bromide, vecuronium bromide, or rocuronium
bromide,  three  drugs  that,  all  agree,  are  functionally 
equivalent  for  purposes  of  this  case.    The  protocol  also
includes  procedural  safeguards  to  help  ensure  that  an 
inmate  remains  insensate  to  any  pain  caused  by  the  ad-
ministration  of  the  paralytic  agent  and  potassium  chlo-
ride.  Those safeguards include: (1) the insertion of both a
primary and backup IV catheter, (2) procedures to confirm 
the  viability  of  the  IV  site,  (3) the  option  to  postpone  an 
execution if viable IV sites cannot be established within an 
hour,  (4) a  mandatory  pause  between  administration  of
the  first  and  second  drugs,  (5) numerous  procedures  for 
monitoring the offender’s consciousness, including the use 
of  an  electrocardiograph  and  direct  observation,  and 
(6) detailed  provisions  with  respect  to  the  training  and 
preparation  of  the  execution  team.    In  January  of  this
year,  Oklahoma  executed  Warner  using  these  revised 
procedures and the combination of midazolam, a paralytic 
agent, and potassium chloride. 

II
 
A 

In  June  2014,  after  Oklahoma  switched  from  pentobar-
bital  to  midazolam  and  executed  Lockett,  21  Oklahoma 
death row inmates filed an action under 42 U. S. C. §1983 
challenging the State’s new lethal injection protocol.  The 
complaint  alleged  that  Oklahoma’s  use  of  midazolam 
violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and 
unusual punishment.

In  November  2014,  four  of  those  plaintiffs—Richard 

—————— 

1 The  three  other  drug  combinations  that  Oklahoma  may  admin-
ister  are:  (1) a  single  dose  of  pentobarbital,  (2) a  single  dose  of
sodium  thiopental,  and  (3) a  dose  of  midazolam  followed  by  a  dose  of
hydromorphone.