State, Lawyers Debate Identifying Execution Drug Supplier

2016-05-11T20:28:49-05:00

By Johnathan Silver The Texas Tribune Originally published May 11, 2016 Revealing Texas' supplier of execution drugs could have a harmful effect on the provider and as a result leave the state empty-handed, a lawyer for the state suggested Wednesday during an appeals court hearing. State Deputy Solicitor General Matthew Frederick told a three-judge panel on the Austin-based Third Court of Appeals that a "substantial risk" comes with naming the state’s supplier. Specifically, he said, people who are against the death penalty might lash out against the supplier. "Pharmacies don't have security details," Frederick said. "Their only protection is anonymity." But [...]