Michael Morales was set to become the first Latino executed in California since the death penalty was reinstated in the 70s. Last night, he had what he believed would be his last meal, and probably didn’t sleep through what he thought was to be his last night on earth. Today, he was to take a lethal injection and die. But that didn’t happen. Anesthesiologists who were to assist in the execution claimed that there was too great a possibility that Morales return to consciousness during the procedure, prolonging suffering:

Doctors said the ruling raised serious questions about the possibility of having to intervene in the execution “if any evidence of either pain or a return to consciousness arose.”

In a statement to the warden, the doctors said, “Any such intervention would be medically unethical. As a result, we have withdrawn from participation in this current process. … What is being asked of us is ethically unacceptable.”

I know that not everyone in this country sees the irony in this situation. I know that many will say that Morales deserves to die. But put yourself on the side of those of us who believe that it’s not government’s place to take a man’s life, and you have to see that it’s quite ironic that these doctors object to the procedure itself as “unethical” but not necessarily the execution. If this wasn’t about a human life it would be downright funny.

And for those of you who don’t see the irony, don’t worry, this is just a legal snafu. Morales will be executed soon enough.

Via / The Chicago Tribune

Photo credit: Robert Durell / LAT