One of eight Arkansas inmates facing possible execution this month had a last meal Monday evening as his fate was being decided by federal and state courts.
After the Arkansas Supreme Court stayed the execution of two inmates, the state’s attorney general asked the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling so the execution of one could proceed.
While Bruce Ward has one other stay in place, Don Davis — who had his last meal — could be the first executed over the next 10 days if Attorney General Leslie Rutledge prevails with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Amid the flurry, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a Saturday ruling by a federal judge that temporarily halted all eight executions.
That U.S. District Court judge had ruled that the prisoners will likely succeed in demonstrating the state’s proposed method of lethal injection is unconstitutional. But the appeals court said the use of the method of execution, which includes the drug, midazolam, did not create undue severe pain.
The executions were set for this month because Arkansas’ supply of midazolam expires on May 1.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued a statement Monday evening that said, in part, “We have asked the US Supreme Court and hope to get a decision later tonight.”
The attorney for Davis and Ward requested stays of execution until the US Supreme Court rules on an upcoming case concerning inmate access to independent mental health experts. The justices are set to hold oral arguments on April 24.
In a statement, Scott Braden, the attorney for both Davis and Ward, said his clients were “denied access to independent mental health experts, even though they clearly demonstrated that mental health issues would be significant factors at their trials. Mr. Ward has severe and life-long schizophrenia, breaks with reality, and delusions, such as seeing demon dogs at the foot of his bed since childhood. Mr. Davis has organic brain damage, intellectual disability, a history of head injuries, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other severe mental health conditions.”
Late Monday, the Arkansas Supreme Court also overturned a temporary restraining order, issued by a state judge, that prevented Arkansas from using vecuronium bromide it had purchased from McKesson Medical-Surgical in executions. The company had argued the medication was not meant to be used in capital punishment.
The Arkansas Supreme Court had already blocked Ward’s execution due to questions about his mental competency. As of Monday evening, that stay remained.
As officials awaited further court action, Davis had his “last meal” at the Cummins Unit, where the execution chamber is located. According to the Arkansas Department of Correction, Davis chose fried chicken, rolls, great northern beans, mashed potatoes and strawberry cake.
Davis’ current execution warrant expires at 1 a.m. ET (midnight CT).
