The state hasn’t carried out an execution since 2011, but Gov. Henry McMaster now says they’re ready with lethal injection drugs.
Topline
Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Tuesday that the state had acquired the necessary drugs for lethal injections and is ready to carry out executions after more than a decade of being unable to find pharmaceutical companies that would distribute the drugs.Key Facts
Earlier this year, the state’s general assembly passed legislation enacting a Shield Statute, which protects “the identity of individuals or entities involved in the planning or execution of a death sentence”—including pharmaceutical companies that don’t want to be associated with life-ending drugs.
South Carolina hasn’t been able to carry out an execution—despite it being legal—because its batch of lethal injection drugs expired in 2013 and it has been unable to get a new batch.
The state made more than 1,300 contacts to drug manufacturers, suppliers, compounding pharmacies and more in an effort to secure the drugs needed for lethal injection before succeeding, according to a press release.
Crucial Quote
“This filing brings our state one step closer to being able to once again carry out the rule of law and bring grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed,” McMaster said in the release.
