National

Judge Reserves Decision On Challenge Of Montana's Execution Methods

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Sep, 2015 12:18 PM

CALGARY — A judge has reserved his decision on a constitutional challenge of Montana's execution methods that is likely to impact a Canadian on death row there.

Lawyers for two death-row inmates, including Ronald Smith of Red Deer, Alta., and the State of Montana provided conflicting evidence over whether a sedative called for under Montana's lethal injection protocols was an "ultra-fast-acting" barbituate.

Lawyers for the prisoners believe the use of the drug could lead to an "excruciating and terrifying" death.

Ron Waterman of the American Civil Liberties Union thinks the case went well and expects Judge Jeffrey Sherlock to release his decision by the end of the month.

Smith has been on death row in Montana since 1983 for the murders of two young men after he was bingeing on drugs and alcohol.

He originally requested he be executed, but later changed his mind and has been fighting to stay alive ever since.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Ex-Senate Reform Allies Mystified By PM's Seeming Lack Of Plan For Senate

The prime minister distanced himself from the damning revelations in last week's audit of senators' expenses, explaining that "the Senate is an independent

Ex-Senate Reform Allies Mystified By PM's Seeming Lack Of Plan For Senate

Whale-Watching Guide: Orca Calf Spotted Near Tofino, B.C., Was Born This Week

TOFINO, B.C. — A newborn orca spotted off the coast of Tofino, B.C., looks healthy and adventurous, according to a whale-watching guide and researcher.

Whale-Watching Guide: Orca Calf Spotted Near Tofino, B.C., Was Born This Week

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne Suggests Regional Co-operation On Environment

QUEBEC — The premiers of Quebec and Ontario are meeting with the governors of eight U.S. states today as part of a three-day conference on the future of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne Suggests Regional Co-operation On Environment

Crews Partly Contain Wildfire South Of Lytton, B.C., On Third Day Of Blaze

The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch says no significant growth in the fire occurred Saturday morning and the blaze is now about 12.8 square kilometres in size.

Crews Partly Contain Wildfire South Of Lytton, B.C., On Third Day Of Blaze

Jane Fonda Boosts Opposition To Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline

In 1970, Jane Fonda was arrested while marching with indigenous people. Forty-five years later, the Academy Award-winning actress says she's willing to be placed in handcuffs again while defending British Columbia's coast from oil tankers.

Jane Fonda Boosts Opposition To Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline

Canadian Researchers Use Tracking Technology To Learn From Ocean Animals

HALIFAX — Ocean researcher Nigel Hussey says the hardest part of tagging a giant Greenland shark isn't dealing with the carnivore -- it's keeping his hands in sub-zero Arctic water while he does the work.