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Legislators Explore Gas as Execution Option

State of Oklahoma

Oklahoma legislators  study the option of executing condemned inmates using nitrogen gas.

A formal interim study requested by Oklahoma City Republican Mike Christian is being conducted before the House Judiciary Committee.

Christian is a staunch supporter of the death penalty who says he plans to draft a bill for next year's Legislature, which begins in February.

Christian requested the study after Oklahoma's lethal injection in April of Clayton Lockett, who writhed on the gurney, clenched his teeth and moaned before being pronounced dead about 43 minutes after his execution began.

An investigative report by the state Department of Public Safety released earlier this month blamed the problems on the poor placement of an intravenous line, and state prison officials are developing new lethal injection protocols.