Who receives lethal injection? Capital offenders who has been sentenced to death will be executed using this method Capital offenders who has been sentenced to death will be executed using this method The death penalty is almost exclusively reserved for first degree murder with aggravating circumstances (treason, aggravated kidnapping, drug trafficking, aircraft hijacking, espionage, aggravated assault) The death penalty is almost exclusively reserved for first degree murder with aggravating circumstances (treason, aggravated kidnapping, drug trafficking, aircraft hijacking, espionage, aggravated assault) In 2007 Texas was the 7 th state to signed into law a new statute allowing the death penalty for the rape of a child In 2007 Texas was the 7 th state to signed into law a new statute allowing the death penalty for the rape of a child Sarah

Before the Execution Prisoners are held on death row. Sometimes for so long that they die naturally, rather than by execution Prisoners are held on death row. Sometimes for so long that they die naturally, rather than by execution 24 hours prior to the official execution, the inmate is moved to the deathwatch cell. He is given a final meal (his requested dinner), the warden and the chaplain visit, the inmate makes final preparations, and the heart monitor is connected 24 hours prior to the official execution, the inmate is moved to the deathwatch cell. He is given a final meal (his requested dinner), the warden and the chaplain visit, the inmate makes final preparations, and the heart monitor is connected Sarah

Who can watch the execution? The witnesses are allowed to enter the viewing room. People allowed to watch the execution are: The witnesses are allowed to enter the viewing room. People allowed to watch the execution are: Relatives of the victim(s) Relatives of the victim(s) Relatives of the prisoner Relatives of the prisoner Prison warden Prison warden Medical personnel Medical personnel Spiritual advisor(s) Spiritual advisor(s) Prison guards Prison guards Official group of "reputable citizens" Official group of "reputable citizens" Official group of state-selected witnesses Official group of state-selected witnesses Media representatives Media representatives Sarah

How is the inmate restrained? The prisoner is moved to the execution chamber and bound to a gurney The prisoner is moved to the execution chamber and bound to a gurney A gurney is a metal stretcher with wheels and straps where the inmate is tightly bound at the beginning of the execution A gurney is a metal stretcher with wheels and straps where the inmate is tightly bound at the beginning of the execution Sarah

Who delivers the lethal dose? An IV tube is put inside of one of the major blood veins in the inmate An IV tube is put inside of one of the major blood veins in the inmate There are three staff members who inject the lethal drugs. Each of them injects the drugs an IV line. This is so the executioners don’t know who delivered the lethal dose and who injected them into a dummy bag There are three staff members who inject the lethal drugs. Each of them injects the drugs an IV line. This is so the executioners don’t know who delivered the lethal dose and who injected them into a dummy bag Sarah

What drugs are given to the inmate? The drugs are given in this order: The drugs are given in this order: Sodium thiopental- the anesthetic Sodium thiopental- the anesthetic Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)- Muscle relaxant Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)- Muscle relaxant Potassium Chloride- A toxic agent Potassium Chloride- A toxic agent In-between drugs, a saline solution flushes out the intravenous line In-between drugs, a saline solution flushes out the intravenous line Sarah

Sodium Thiopental Sodium thiopental is the anesthetic Sodium thiopental is the anesthetic The normal dose for this particular anesthetic 100 to 150 milligrams over a period of 10 to 15 seconds. The dose for the inmate is up to 5 grams The normal dose for this particular anesthetic 100 to 150 milligrams over a period of 10 to 15 seconds. The dose for the inmate is up to 5 grams Often, after the anesthetic is delivered, the inmate cant feel anything for the remainder of the execution Often, after the anesthetic is delivered, the inmate cant feel anything for the remainder of the execution Sarah

Pancuronium Bromide Is the muscle relaxant and is given in such high doses that it paralyzes the diaphragm and lungs, ultimately causing the inmate to stop breathing Is the muscle relaxant and is given in such high doses that it paralyzes the diaphragm and lungs, ultimately causing the inmate to stop breathing The drug is usually given at about 60 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. During the execution the give it in doses of about 100 milligrams total The drug is usually given at about 60 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. During the execution the give it in doses of about 100 milligrams total Other chemicals used at the paralyzing agent include tubocurarine chloride and succinylcholine chloride Other chemicals used at the paralyzing agent include tubocurarine chloride and succinylcholine chloride Sarah

Potassium Chloride Potassium chloride is not used by all states Potassium chloride is not used by all states It is administered at a lethal dose and interrupts the electrical signal the tells the inmates heart when to beat. This induces cardiac arrest It is administered at a lethal dose and interrupts the electrical signal the tells the inmates heart when to beat. This induces cardiac arrest Sarah

After the Death Within two minutes from when the last drug was administered, the inmate is pronounced dead by the attending physician Within two minutes from when the last drug was administered, the inmate is pronounced dead by the attending physician The body is placed in a body bag and moved so an autopsy can be preformed The body is placed in a body bag and moved so an autopsy can be preformed After the autopsy is done, the deceased’s family may claim the body or it is interred by the state After the autopsy is done, the deceased’s family may claim the body or it is interred by the state Sarah