The moratorium on executions is over. The U.S. Supreme Court voted 7-2 to uphold the three-drug lethal injection execution process used in Kentucky, which is the most common method used throughout the United States. Executions in several states had been placed on hold since September awaiting the court's ruling.

Some states immediately began plans to resume executions.

The ruling was a setback for many death row inmates who have exhausted all of their appeals, including 40 in Texas alone. Since judges have to set execution dates in Texas, and they have to be set 30 days in advance, it will be mid-May before executions resume.

Executions to Resume Soon

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine immediately lifted the moratorium on capital punishment that he imposed April 1.

In Florida, where there are 388 inmates on death row, Gov. Charlie Crist said he asked one of his lawyers to put together "a very short list" of death warrants he will consider signing.

"Justice delayed is justice denied, and an awful lot of families of the victims have been waiting for justice to be done, and so that's certainly an important factor," Gov. Crist told reporters.

See Also:
Freed Up by Court, States Prepare to Continue Executions

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