OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by media organizations that sought greater access to the execution of Oklahoma death row inmates.
U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton dismissed the lawsuit on Friday. He rejected allegations that Oklahoma's execution protocols violate the First Amendment.
The lawsuit was filed in August by Oklahoma Observer and the Guardian US news organizations following the April 29th of inmate Clayton Lockett, who writhed, moaned and clenched his teeth before he was pronounced dead about 43 minutes after his execution began.
The lawsuit alleged prison officials violated the First Amendment when they lowered a shade 16 minutes after Lockett's execution started, blocking witnesses' view of the process.
The organizations' attorney, Brady Henderson of the American Civil Liberties Union, says they have not decided whether to appeal.