1. The govt is using a lethal injection drug from a secret source that failed a lab test.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
2. Barr & aides picked who to execute. Reasons they gave were factually inaccurate.
3. DOJ outsourced executions to private contractors paid in CASH.
More details below.
Prisoners’ lawyers: the drug floods the lungs, causing suffering akin to death by drowning.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
SCOTUS: it’s fine. https://t.co/5f9lMtTbmF pic.twitter.com/OV2XwLoZAD
.@VanderbiltU Prof. Craig Lindsley wrote a two-page report saying the drug would take effect so rapidly the prisoner wouldn’t feel pain. He didn’t disclose his fee, but he was hired through a contract that DOJ paid $22k that month. pic.twitter.com/R2PU71kAwV
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Dr. Antognini: Unconscious people can’t feel pain.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Also Antognini: We don’t really know how unconsciousness works. pic.twitter.com/oIHkqWWhu7
DOJ considered importing the drug in powdered form and remixing it into an injectable solution. It later found a domestic source.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
The first batch failed a quality test. DOJ blamed the lab and got a new one. pic.twitter.com/cqAHpRGWMf
Next: In July 2019, Barr got a list of 14 possible prisoners to execute. He and aides chose 5.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Barr said the reason was they all killed children or the elderly. Not true. pic.twitter.com/urMvJszhsu
Yes, Barr had a big role. Other key officials involved:@MattWhitaker46
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Jeff Sessions
Mark Inch
Jeffrey Rosen
Paul Perkins
Tim Shea
Next day, similar story. SCOTUS gave go-ahead to execute Wesley Purkey. Death warrant expired, but DOJ went ahead & issued new same-day notice.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Execution started while a final court challenge was still going. Court said appeal was "moot" because Purkey was already dead. pic.twitter.com/MuEXRnTBXh
DOJ: Using firing squads instead of lethal injection would be a “regressive change.”
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Also DOJ: Authorize firing squads. pic.twitter.com/xuBSDOycFk
DOJ has 3 more executions scheduled before the inauguration of @JoeBiden on Jan, 20.
— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020
Biden opposes the death penalty.
Full story here: https://t.co/5f9lMtTbmF
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— Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) December 23, 2020