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Senate committee hears testimony on bill to add firing squad option and confidentiality for execution personnel
Summary
Lawmakers and witnesses sparred over Senate Bill 11, which would authorize a non-chemical execution method (including firing squad) if lethal-injection drugs are unavailable and would keep identities of execution personnel confidential. Opponents cited secrecy, rare need and risk of botched executions.
Chairman Aaron Freeman convened the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee as Senator Kevin Young introduced Senate Bill 11, which would permit a non-chemical alternative — including a firing squad — when lethal-injection chemicals are unavailable and allow a condemned person to request a firing squad at least 30 days before execution.
"The convicted person at least 30 days before the scheduled execution date requests execution by firing squad," Young told the committee while defending the measure as a contingency for when chemical drugs are expired, unavailable or refused by manufacturers.
Supporters framing the bill as preserving options emphasized choice. "It's their choice," Young said, arguing the statutory priority would remain for chemical methods where…
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