Texas has nearly exhausted its supply of execution drug
Manufacturers are banning US prisons from using pentobarbital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The state of Texas, where most of the United States' lethal injections take place each year, is running low on pentobarbital, the drug used to carry out executions of death row prisoners.
If the execution of Manuel Vasquez goes ahead as scheduled next Wednesday, the state will have completely run out.
"We're exploring all options," said Jason Clark, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "Including the continued use of pentobarbital or an alternate drug(s) in the lethal injection process."
States across the US have struggled to maintain a steady supply of the drug recently, after its European manufacturer explicitly banned US prisons from using it in executions.
Last year, Tennesse said that if it can't get hold of pentobarbital it will simply return to electrocuting inmates.
The mooted use of an 'alternate drug' is perhaps even more worrying. In April, a substitute called midazolam used in Oklahoma went wrong and left the inmate writhing and convulsing, taking 43 minutes to die instead of the usual 10.
Texas executed 10 people last year, three so far this year and has the deaths of Randall Mays, Kent Sprouse, Manuel Garza, Richard Vasquez, Robert Pruett, Charles Derrick along with Vasquez scheduled.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments