In the US, if the execution fails to kill you do they set you free or do they give you life in prison instead or do they keep trying to kill you until you are dead?
2007-01-16 11:05:17 · 8 answers · asked by surfinthedesert 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That is, in fact, an urban myth (link 1). There are a number of recent cases of lethal injection where several lethal doses were administered because the first ones didn't work - one person spent more than half an hour still alive after being injected with the supposedly fatal drug.
The key is in the wording of the sentence - you are ordered to be hanged (or whatever) UNTIL DEAD. So if, for some reason, you end up not-dead, the state just says that your sentence wasn't really carried out and tries again and again and again (if necessary).
2007-01-16 11:46:22 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You aren't getting out, that's for sure. I seem to recall that they screwed up an execution recently (Ohio?) and tried again later that morning.
In the UK during the Civil War, a nobleman was due to be beheaded. Unfortunately, the blade wasn't very sharp and they barely made a dent in his neck. After the fourth attempt they gave up and he eventually got released. I swear that is true - I just wish I could find a reference to it!
2007-01-16 11:11:36 · answer #2 · answered by skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they keep trying till it works. It's especially unpleasant in those states where they use electicity. Yuk.
2007-01-16 11:10:21 · answer #3 · answered by bloo435 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that before, but I have a feeling it's just an urban legend.
2007-01-16 11:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by SatanicYoda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they just keep trying to kill u til ur dead
2007-01-16 11:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by Kittykat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i duno.but theres and urban legend around that some guy survived like 4 execution attempts..they finally realased him...
2007-01-16 11:44:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they just try it again...
gacy got two injections before he died
2007-01-16 11:30:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one has ever survived
2007-01-16 11:47:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋