Opinion ID: 1697471
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Comparison of Florida and Kentucky Protocol

Text: Schwab provided the Court with Ms. Arvizu's analysis of variations between Kentucky and Florida protocol on various issues but, as noted above, has not yet demonstrated this person is qualified to offer an opinion on this specific subject. Expert testimony is not required for the Court to compare the two sets of protocol Oddly enough, neither Schwab nor the State saw fit to include a copy of the Kentucky protocol as an exhibit. In any event, in reviewing Defendant's Exhibit 8, Ms. Arvizu's analysis of the differences between the two State's procedures, the Court is not convinced that she has stated any variations that amount to constitutional errors. For instance, she states that the Kentucky protocol provides for ongoing psychiatric assessment of the condemned while Florida does not, but as Schwab is not making a complaint that he is incompetent to be executed, this difference is irrelevant here. She states that Kentucky provides for a second dose of sodium pentathol within one minute if the condemned has not been rendered unconscious, but the Florida protocol likewise has a backup dose of the drug to be used upon a finding that the first dose failed to render the condemned unconscious. (Exhibit A, p. 11). Florida's procedures are very similar to the Kentucky procedures as discussed in Baze. A comparison, of the two demonstrates the following parallels (from Baze at 1528, Exhibit B, Florida Lethal Injection Protocol and Lightbourne at 346-349). 1. Kentucky A three-drug procedure of 3 grams of sodium thiopental, 50 mgs of pancuronium bromide and 240 milliequivalents of potassium chloride Florida. A three-drug procedure of 5 grams of sodium pentathol (the brand name of sodium thiopenal [thiopental]), 50 mgs of pancuronium bromide and 480 milliequivalents of potassium chloride. 2 Kentucky Between injections, the IV lines are flushed with saline to prevent clogging. Florida Between injections, the IV lines are flushed with saline. 3. Kentucky IVs are inserted by certified phlebotomists and emergency medial technicians with at least one year of experience. Florida IV IVs are inserted by certified phlebotomists or certified EMTs and paramedics whose are currently employed in the field and use their skills in their daily duties. After insertion of one IV line into each of the prisoner's arms (unless a medical check has revealed another site is necessary) a check will be made with saline solution to determine if the line is flowing correctly. A designated team member is responsible for continually monitoring the viability of the IV lines throughout the entire execution procedure by closed circuit TV. 4. Kentucky the facilities consists of an execution chamber, a control room with a one-way window and a witness room. The warden and deputy warden remain in the execution room with the prisoner. Florida the facilities consist of an execution chamber, an executioner's room and a witness room. The team warden, one additional execution team member and an FLDE observer remain in the execution chamber. The executioner's room is secured and only specified personnel may remain in the room. 5. Kentucky the execution team delivers the drugs remotely from the control room through five feet of IV tubing. Florida the executioner delivers the drugs remotely from the executioner's room through a length of TV tubing. The procedure for setting up the IV lines are covered, including the use of back-flow values, a clamp to regulate flow and a lure lock tip. Designated team members are responsible for determining that the tubing from the IV lines to the drip bags has not been compromised and are responsible for continuously monitoring the viability of the IV lines before and during the execution procedure. 6. Kentucky After one minute following administration of the First drug, the warden and deputy warden make a visual inspection for consciousness. If the prisoner is not unconscious, a second dose of sodium thiopental is administered. Florida After the administration of the first drug, the warden makes an inspection for consciousness. He must determine, after a consultation with other team members, that the prisoner is unconscious. If not, the execution process is suspended and the TV access lines reassessed. Once it is determined that a viable IV line is available, the execution resumes and a second dose of sodium pentathol is administered. After that dose, the warden must again do an assessment of consciousness before proceeding. 7. Kentucky A heart monitor is attached to the prisoner. An electrocardiogram verifies his death. Florida A heart monitor is connected to the inmate by a certified paramedic or EMT. One or more team members will be charged with observing the monitor and will be situated in the executioner's room. After the monitor indicates a cessation of heart activity, a physician will examine the inmate to determine that death has occurred. Carefully comparing the Florida protocol to Kentucky's as described in Baze, the Court finds them substantially similar Florida has several additional safeguards not mentioned in Baze. For example, the drugs used for execution must be prepared by a licensed pharmacist and, one week before execution, the inmate must be physically examined to determine whether there are issues which could compromise proper administration of the lethal injection process Schwab has failed to point out any significant differences that would impact an Eighth Amendment claim.