Legal Document

503 U.S. 653 112 S.Ct. 1652 118 L.Ed.2d 293 James GOMEZ and Daniel Vasquezv.UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR the NORTHERN OF CALIFORNIA, et al.No. A-767. April 21, 1992. PER CURIAM. 1 Harris claims that his execution by lethal gas is cruel unusual in violation of Eighth Amendment. This case an obvious attempt to avoid application McCleskey v. Zant, --- ----, 111 1454, 113 517 (1991), bar this successive claim for relief. has now filed four prior federal habeas petitions. He made no convincing showing cause failure raise 2 Even if we were assume, however, could claim, would not consider it on merits. Whether framed as a petition or § 1983 action, seeks equitable remedy. Equity must take into consideration State's strong interest proceeding with its judgment Harris' at manipulation. See In re Blodgett, 674, 116 669 (1992); Delo Stokes, 495 320, 110 1880, 109 325 (1990) (KENNEDY, J., concurring). have been brought more than decade ago. There good reason abusive delay, which compounded last-minute attempts manipulate judicial process. A court may nature stay deciding whether grant 3 The vacate death granted, ordered orders staying Robert Alton entered United States Court Appeals Ninth Circuit No. 92-70237 20, 1992 are vacated. 4 Justice STEVENS, whom BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 5 time when Court's jurisprudence concerning imposition penalty grows ever complicated, brings simple claim. argues California's method execution—exposure cyanide constitutes punishment therefore violates Fourteenth Amendments. light all know today about extreme unnecessary pain inflicted gas, availability humane less violent methods execution, merit. I deny imposed allow courts below hear rule 6 Execution "in essence asphyxiation suffocation strangulation."1 As dozens uncontroverted expert statements illustrate, extremely unnecessarily painful. 7 "Following inhalation person will first experience hypoxia, condition defined lack oxygen body. hypoxic state can continue several minutes after released chamber. During time, remain conscious immediately suffer throughout arms, shoulders, back, chest. sensation be similar felt during massive heart attack."2 8 "Execution gas. . produces prolonged seizures, incontinence stool urine, salivation, vomiting, retching, ballistic writhing, flailing, twitching extremities, [and] grimacing."3 suffering lasts 10 minutes, longer.4 9 Eyewitness descriptions executions lend depth these clinical accounts. On 6, 1992, Arizona executed Don Eugene Harding. "When fumes enveloped Don's head he took quick breath. few seconds later again looked my direction. His face was red contorted attempting fight through tremendous pain. mouth pursed shut jaw clenched tight. then gulps fumes. 11 "At point body started convulsing violently. turned deep veins temple neck began bulge until thought they might explode. 12 "After minute leaned partially forward, but still conscious. Every continued gulp in. shuddering uncontrollably racked spasms. snap back. hands clenched. 13 most convulsions subsided. At muscles along left arm back wavelike motion under skin. Spittle drooled from mouth. 14 "Don did stop moving approximately eight twitch jerk another minute. Approximately two later, told prison official complete. 15 Harding ten thirty one die."5 16 cruelty convinced Arizona's Attorney General State should abandon favor injection.6 conclusion coincides numerous medical, legal, ethical experts.7 17 prohibition "is fastened obsolete, acquire meaning public opinion becomes enlightened justice." Weems States, 217 349, 378, 30 544, 54 L.Ed. 793 (1910). Accordingly, "interpreted th[e Eighth] Amendment 'in flexible dynamic manner.' " Stanford Kentucky, 492 361, 369, 2969, 2974, 106 306 (1989) (quoting Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 171, 96 2909, 2924, 49 859 (1976) (opinion Stewart, Powell, JJ.)). When California statute requiring enacted 1937, chamber considered execution. Fifty-five years history moral development superseded judgment. barbaric use Holocaust, agents chemical weapons, our contemporary understanding demonstrate cruel. "The traditional humanity modern Anglo-American law forbids infliction sentence." Louisiana Resweber, 329 459, 463, 67 374, 376, 91 422 (1947) Reed, J.). 18 Nowhere progress better demonstrated decisions legislatures. Of 20 so adopt new since ruling (1976), single chosen Ten ago, mandated gas; one, those abandoned inhumane torturous. Only California, Maryland, currently mandate gas.8 168 persons 1977, only We frequently emphasized "[t]he clearest reliable objective evidence values legislation country's legislatures." Penry Lynaugh, 302, 331, 2934, 2953, 256 (1989). These "objective indicia reflect attitude" toward U.S., 370, S.Ct., 2975, clearly exhibit nearly universal rejection means execution.9 Cf. Enmund Florida, 458 782, 788-796, 102 3368, 3371-3376, 73 1140 (1982); Coker 433 584, 593-597, 97 2861, 2866-2869, 53 982 (1977). All leads me conclude both unusual, standards human decency.10 19 More century declared "[p]unishments involve torture lingering death." Kemmler, 136 436, 447, 930, 933-934, 34 519 (1890). alternatives presently available, believe "incompatible 'the evolving decency mark maturing society.' Estelle Gamble, 429 97, 102, 285, 290, 50 251 Trop Dulles, 356 86, 101, 78 590, 598, 630 (1958) (plurality opinion)). contends earlier. enough upset issued dispatch appellate judges who voted rehear en banc. Indeed, although reluctant recognize much, itself avoided litigation. 1983, seven authorized exposure year, three Members indicated raised sufficiently serious questions merit review writ certiorari. Gray Lucas, 463 1237, 104 211, 77 1453 (1983). Thereafter, (Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon, Wyoming) events other legislatures, well revisited 55-year-old statute. 21 fundamentally, fact unconstitutional, lacks power impose such punishment. even unjustified, cannot endow authority violate Constitution. It principle animated Harlan's Mackey 401 667, 692-693, 1160, 1179-1180, 28 404 (1971), plurality embraced Teague Lane, 489 288, 306-307, 1060, 1072-1073, 103 334 O'CONNOR, Harlan emphasized, there some instances finality give way. challenged conduct falls beyond legitimate power, "[t]here little societal permitting criminal process rest where ought properly never repose." 693, 1180. For reasons, immediate yield deliberate careful study merits claims. 22 dissent. Exhibits Support Motion Temporary Restraining Order (ND Cal.) (hereinafter Exhibits), Vol. I, Exh. (Declaration Dr. Terence B. Allen). Exhibits, Richard J. Traystman, Ph.D.). 2. (Execution Records, San Quentin Prison). II, 3-4 (Affidavit Belanger). Memorandum Emergency Application 8. bill substitute injection pending before legislature. IV, 62 (H.B. 2055). See, e.g., 3; H. Kirschner, M.D.); Col. Kent R. Olson, M.D.). noted above, considering abandoning Supra n. 6. Maryland yet resumed executions. Notably, memorandum prepared corrections officials correctly observes "[l]ethal (e.g., hanging, firing squad, electrocution)." 4. Wilkerson Utah, 99 130, 135-136, 25 345 (1878), ruled punishments "unnecessary cruelty" violated Amendment, citing ancient practices drawing quartering "public dissecting" examples. Similarly 446, 933, (1890), "burning stake, crucifixion, breaking wheel" unusual. To list added garrotte, device strangulation developed—and abandoned—centuries ago Spain. G. Scott, History Capital Punishment 159-160 (1950). mind, nothing garrotte.

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