Governor & Attorney General’s Statement on Lethal Injection Ruling

(Lincoln, Neb.) Audio - Gov. Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning commented today on a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld lethal injection as a legal method of execution in response to a challenge in another state.

Gov. Heineman said, “I find it encouraging that the United States Supreme Court has ruled Kentucky’s method of lethal injection as a constitutional means of execution.

“The ruling issued today is intricate and complex and I have asked Attorney General Bruning to conduct a careful, thorough and thoughtful review of this case in order to determine an appropriate course of action. I am not eager to call a special session and I will not make a final decision regarding a special session until this review is completed.”

Attorney General Bruning said, “We now have a roadmap for selecting a new method of execution for Nebraska. It’s important for us to take some time to study this opinion and review lethal injection protocols used across the country. After the review, we’ll make a recommendation on the best course of action.”  

Earlier this year, the Nebraska Supreme Court reaffirmed the death penalty in Nebraska but found that the state’s use of electrocution to be unconstitutional. In its ruling, the court was clear that the death penalty remains in effect for prisoners on death row in Nebraska.