Kentucky on edge of execution flurry

Kentucky has executed few inmates since the reinstatement of the death penalty 3 decades ago. But about a half-dozen on death row will be at the end of their appeals by the end of the year.

The state is on the verge of re-enacting the process that uses a 3-drug cocktail to execute inmates, and could start setting execution dates for multiple inmates by early summer.

The state Supreme Court halted all executions late last year, saying state officials improperly adopted the lethal injection process. The order stopped Gov. Steve Beshear from acting on requests to set dates for 3 inmates awaiting execution.

The revamped lethal injection protocol is on course to take effect no later than by May 7.

Source: Associated Press, April 4, 2010