South Carolina Resumes Lethal Injections with Newly Acquired Drug

South Carolina has obtained pentobarbital, a drug necessary for lethal injections, and is prepared to carry out its first execution in over 12 years. The state's previous supply of execution drugs had expired, and drug companies refused to sell more due to concerns about public identification. South Carolina passed a shield law in May to keep execution procedures and drug suppliers confidential. The state corrections director announced the purchase of pentobarbital, which will be used as the sole drug in future executions.