No Good Way to Die

By all accounts, Ohio's Jan. 16 execution of convicted murderer Dennis McGuire went badly. After being injected with a never-before-used, two-drug cocktail, McGuire gasped, snored and snorted until he finally succumbed after almost 20 minutes. His family plans to sue the state for cruel and unusual punishment.

Ohio resorted to the untested mix because the pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs most often used in lethal injections have curbed production or refused to sell them for use in executions. That has led some legislators in Missouri, Virginia and Wyoming to propose a return to firing squads and electrocution. "I think it's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!