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Kentucky Supreme Court Denies Attorney General’s Push to Restart Executions
In a 5-1 ruling, the court said the dispute remains part of an ongoing lawsuit over Kentucky’s execution procedures and refused an advisory opinion.
- On Thursday, the Kentucky Supreme Court denied Attorney General Russell Coleman's petition to clarify a 2010 injunction, maintaining the state's long-standing pause on executions.
- Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd issued the temporary injunction in 2010, halting executions while litigation proceeded over whether the state's lethal injection protocols were properly adopted under administrative law.
- By a 6-1 margin, the Justices declined to issue a Writ of Mandamus; Justice Kelly Thompson dissented, arguing Ralph Baze has waited 32 years since sentencing and deserved final resolution.
- Justice Kelly Thompson Keller wrote for the majority that any order instructing Governor Andy Beshear on death warrants would constitute an unconstitutional "advisory opinion," leaving the decision to the executive branch.
- Although this litigation has been ongoing for two decades, the High Court noted discovery for the underlying lawsuit is nearing completion, with final adjudication expected by April 29, 2027.
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Winchester Sun+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Kentucky Supreme Court keeps death penalty litigation alive after 20 years
FRANKFORT – The Kentucky Supreme Court handed down a ruling Thursday denying a petition to end litigation concerning Kentucky’s procedures for implementation of the death sentence has been ongoing for […]
Kentucky Supreme Court rejects another effort from the AG to resume executions in state
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has dealt another blow to Attorney General Russell Coleman’s efforts to resume executions in Kentucky. The high court on Thursday denied a petition submitted by Coleman’s office that, if accepted, would have been…
Kentucky Supreme Court denies AG request in death penalty dispute
The Kentucky Supreme Court has denied Attorney General Russell Coleman's request to force a Franklin County judge to clarify whether an injunction prevents Gov. Andy Beshear from signing a death warrant for death row inmate Ralph Baze.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
C 55%
R 36%
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