UPDATE: Supreme Court refuses to block Idaho execution scheduled for tomorrow

Paul Rhoades, 54, is due to be put to death by lethal injection on Friday, in what would be Idaho’s first execution since 1994, and only its second in more than half a century. The Supreme Court refuses to stop the execution.

The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to intervene in the case of an Idaho inmate who is scheduled to be executed Friday.

Rhoades’ lawyers asked the high court for time to challenge the state’s lethal injection policy. They argue that it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment that is barred by the Constitution.

Lower courts have rejected their arguments, and late Thursday, the Supreme Court denied two requests for a stay. Read more here and  here.

Tomorrow:

Friday’s schedule will start with a briefing by the prison warden at 6 AM. The witnesses will be moved into place at 7:15 AM. Paul Ezra Rhoades will be moved from his cell at 7:20. By 8 AM the warden will read the death warrant. He’ll ask if Rhoades  has a final statement and he’ll check to see if there are any reasons the execution should not proceed. At 8:10 AM they will administer the chemicals to carry out lethal injection. The coroner will enter the execution chamber at 8:30 AM to confirm the inmate’s passing. Then a briefing of the media will follow. Read more “Rhoades Enters Final Hours of Life.”

Rhoades’ defense team has also posted a video on YouTube.  In  it they detail Rhoades troubled childhood. They recount his drug addiction that they say ultimately led to his homicidal behavior. They also ask for the governor to intervene.

The Oregon Justice Resource Center opposes the death penalty (capital punishment) in all circumstances. State sanctioned executions represent the ultimate deprivation of humanity and civil liberties. 

If you are in Idaho, please take action and voice your opposition to the death penalty:

Execute Justice, NOT People!
Friday Nov. 18th at 7 am.

Join the ACLU of Idaho and Idahoans Against the Death Penalty in a peaceful rally agains the death penalty.  Across the country, public support fo the death penalty has dropped in favor of life without parole.  The death penalty costs our state much more than a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Where: South Boise Prison Complex

Directions: From I-84, take the Orchard Street Exit (Exit 52) and head south for 0.2 miles.  Orchard becomes West Gowen Road.  After 0.5 miles, take a right of Pleasant Valley Road. Travel six miles till you see an arch on the left with the words, “Idaho State Penitentiary.”

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