Judges seek more information on planned Alabama execution

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Federal judges are seeking more information about an upcoming Alabama execution in which the state plans to connect the lethal injection line through the inmate’s leg.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asked Wednesday for additional information as they weigh a request from Doyle Lee Hamm to block his execution.

Hamm’s attorney has argued that lethal injection would be unconstitutionally painful because lymphoma, drug use and hepatitis C have compromised Hamm’s veins.

The court asked for an affidavit from a state official regarding the intent, and ability, to connect the line through a leg vein.

The prison warden responded saying the state can, and will, carry out the execution that way.

Hamm is scheduled to be executed Thursday for the 1987 slaying of motel clerk Patrick Cunningham.