Oklahoma death row inmates file injunction against their upcoming executions

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Several inmates on Oklahoma’s death row have filed an injunction asking the federal district court to block their upcoming executions.

A hearing is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.

The state recently announced the execution dates for six death row inmates. John Grant is scheduled to be executed on Oct. 28. Grant was convicted of killing an Osage County woman in 1998. If Grant is executed next week, it will be the first execution carried out in Oklahoma in six years.

Julius Jones is scheduled to be executed on Nov. 18.

Lawyers representing the inmates are asking the federal court to honor a previous agreement with former Attorney General Mike Hunter, that no execution dates are scheduled while the lawsuit is pending. Several inmates filed a lawsuit after the death of Clayton Lockett in 2014. Lockett convulsed in pain during his injection. Former Governor Mary Fallin paused executions in 2015 as a result.

The plaintiffs also argue that the Supreme Court requires that inmates are able to chose their own method of execution. Some say lethal injection violates their religious beliefs.

The trial involving the lawsuit is scheduled to begin in Feb. 2022.

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