Calif. officials fight to resume state executions

Prosecutors point to new, recently approved procedures for lethal injections, saying the state is ready to execute condemned inmates

By Paul Elias
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — California officials are moving to resume executing death-row inmates as soon as September, prompting a judge to rule that a 3-year-old death penalty ban remains in effect.

Prosecutors point to new, recently approved procedures for lethal injections, saying the state is ready to execute condemned inmates.

Marin County Superior Court Judge Verna Adams had put lethal injections on hold in 2007 while the regulations were being drafted and adopted.

Adams said Tuesday the ban remains in effect until she rules otherwise.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown says the governor has asked him to appeal the judge's order. The state argues that the prohibition was automatically lifted when the regulations became official policy
Monday.