"Condemned Inmate's Risk of 'Anesthesia-Free Surgery' Raises Legal Concerns"

Missouri's execution protocol allows for a potentially invasive "cutdown procedure" without anesthesia if a suitable vein for lethal injection cannot be found, raising concerns of cruel and unusual punishment. Lawyers for death row inmate Brian Dorsey argue that his obesity and medical history increase the risk of needing this procedure, which could violate his constitutional rights. The state's secretive execution process and lack of transparency further fuel these concerns, as past incidents in other states have highlighted the potential for botched executions due to IV line issues. Dorsey's attorneys are seeking clemency and have appeals pending, while also challenging the qualifications of the state's acting corrections director overseeing the execution.