Botched executions seem to be plaguing the United States. Most recently, in Arizona, Joseph Wood was set to die at the hands of the state in 2014. Wood’s execution lasted two hours where he was seen gasping for air while receiving 15 rounds of injections (Herskovitz). The drug that has caused controversy is a sedative called midazolam. This drug is supposed to induce unconsciousness in inmates before they are injected with a heart-stopping narcotic, hydromorphone. However, attorneys for seven Arizona death row inmates are arguing that midazolam does not achieve the level of unconsciousness required for even basic surgery; the state, therefore, should halt all capital punishment immediately for violations of the constitutionally protected right
