Propofol, drug that Michael Jackson OD'd on, to be used in Missouri executions

A bottle of the drug propofol is photographed at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles / AP/FILE

ST. LOUIS - The same anesthetic that caused the overdose death of pop star Michael Jackson is now the drug of choice for executions in Missouri, causing a stir among critics who question how the state can guarantee a drug untested for lethal injection won't cause pain and suffering for the condemned.

Last week the Missouri Department of Corrections announced it was switching from its longstanding three-drug method to use of a single drug, propofol. Missouri would be the first state ever to use propofol as an execution drug.

"This is very, very concerning with a drug that we don't know, and seeing the problems of the one-drug method," said Kathleen Holmes of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Until recently, the 33 states with the death penalty used a virtually identical three-drug process: Sodium thiopental was administered to put the inmate to sleep, then two other drugs stopped the heart and lungs. But makers of sodium thiopental have stopped selling it for use in executions. Supplies mostly ran out or expired, forcing states to consider alternatives.

Most states have retained the three-drug method but turned to pentobarbital as a replacement for sodium thiopental. Pentobarbital, a barbiturate used to treat anxiety and convulsive disorders such as epilepsy, has been used in roughly 50 executions over the past two years, said Richard Dieter, executive director of the Washington-based Death Penalty Information Center.

But its use may be short-lived as its maker also opposes selling it for use in executions.

The statement announcing the change in Missouri said the decision was "due to the unavailability of sodium thiopental" but did not elaborate on why propofol was chosen. The protocol change was administrative and did not require legislative approval. The Corrections Department declined interview requests, but spokesman Chris Cline said Wednesday in a one-sentence statement, "Working with expert guidance, we are confident that this new one-drug protocol will be effective and appropriate."

It wasn't clear when propofol would get its first use in an execution. None are scheduled in Missouri despite Attorney General Chris Koster's request last week that the Missouri Supreme Court set execution dates for up to 19 condemned men whose appeals have run out.

Litigation over Missouri's new protocol is possible. Attorneys for death row inmates told The Associated Press that they are still gathering information on the new process and no decision has been made on whether to seek an injunction.

Between 1989, when executions resumed in Missouri, and 2005, the state put to death 66 convicted killers. But in the seven years since, only two men have been executed -- Dennis Skillicorn in 2009 and Martin Link last year. Use of the death penalty has declined sharply in recent years nationwide. The U.S. had 98 executions in 1999 but just 43 last year. Nearly 3,200 people remain on death row.

Propofol, made by AstraZeneca and marketed as Diprivan, gained notoriety following Jackson's death in 2009. Spokespeople for AstraZeneca and its U.S. marketer, APP, declined comment on its use in executions. But Dieter questioned if enough research has been done.

"Any drug used for a new purpose on human subjects should certainly be tested very, very carefully," Dieter said. "I can only imagine the things that might go wrong."

Adding to the concern, some say, is Missouri's written protocol which, like the one it replaced, does not require a physician to be part of the execution team. It states that a "physician, nurse, or pharmacist" prepares the chemicals, and a "physician, nurse or emergency medical technician ... inserts intravenous lines, monitors the prisoner, and supervises the injection of lethal chemicals by nonmedical members of the execution team."

Jonathan Groner, an Ohio State University surgeon who has studied lethal injection extensively, said propofol is typically administered by either an anesthesiologist, who is a physician, or a nurse anesthetist under the physician's direct supervision. Improper administration could cause a burning sensation or pain at the injection site, he said.

Groner said high doses of propofol will kill by causing respiratory arrest. But the dosage must be accurate and the process must move swiftly because propofol typically wears off in just a few minutes.

"If they start breathing before the heart stops, they might not die," Groner said. That would force the process to be restarted.

Critics also question the safety of the single-drug method. Missouri becomes the third state with a single-drug protocol, along with Arizona and Ohio. Three others -- South Dakota, Idaho and Washington -- have options for single- or multiple-drug executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. California and Kentucky are exploring a switch to the one-drug method.

Concerns were raised after a one-drug execution last month in Arizona. Thomas Arnold Kemp, a 63-year-old convicted killer, shook for several seconds upon receiving a lethal dose of pentobarbital.

The debate over the administration of lethal drugs has angered some capital punishment advocates who suggest that death row inmates -- largely convicted killers -- seem to get more compassion than their victims.

Carol Angelbeck has spent years urging Missouri officials to pick up the pace on executions. Angelbeck's 24-year-old daughter, Mindy Griffin, was raped and strangled by Michael Worthington, who broke into her suburban St. Louis condo in 1995. Worthington is awaiting execution.

"If they can't find a drug they like, go to hanging," Angelbeck said. "Maybe they should feel some pain and others would think twice about killing someone."

30 Photos

Scenes from the Conrad Murray trial

[fjdkslfjdksl]

This book spells out the accurate details of MJ's untimely death...
New FIVE-STAR Michael Jackson Biography Is Now Available as an E-Book: Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy by Dr. Karen Moriarty (www.defendingaking.com)
"If you want an eye-opening portrayal of the real Michael Jackson - delivered in a rare blend of disclosure, respect, insight, and passion - this is it!" Thomas A. Mesereau, MJ's defense attorney

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL - Author and psychologist Dr. Karen Moriarty has announced that her book Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy is now available for e-readers in Kindle and NOOK formats.
Since its release in December 2011, Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy has won numerous accolades, along with FIVE-STAR REVIEWS, and has been called by Readers Favorite "one of those rare books that will touch the reader's mind and heart."
"A book for all ages. As a senior citizen ... my perception of Michael Jackson was built on media critics, video clips, and news of lawsuits. [Dr. Moriarty's] detailed description of his life has totally changed the stereotype.... A great read." Littlemoose
"... I am so so fascinated by this book.... Even if you have ... managed to remain a non-fan of MJ..., this reading and subsequent understanding of MJ the man will make you an instant fan.... It was an emotional roller coaster for me. I must give full credit to Dr. Karen Moriarty for her detailed research and for being able to provide more than enough proof against all those allegations that MJ has faced over the years." Debolina Raja Gupta (Mumbai, India), Author/reviewer, Bookpleasures.com
"Although not a strong Michael Jackson fan when I started this book - it completely changed my outlook on him. The book is thoughtful and well-written [and] easy to read." Lonnie Johnson - A new admirer
"I applaud Dr. Moriarty's book and recommend it without reservation.... This book should be in every library in every city, in the local high school library and be required reading in every curriculum that addresses bullying across this land. This is a story of widespread persecution of the most prolific genius and artist of the twentieth century who defined multiple generations and started the trend of music as a new humanitarian medium." Rev. Barbara Kaufmann, Inner Michael (innermichael.com)
This book reveals a never-before-told inside view of the daily life of Michael Jackson, to help readers understand the real man and father behind the music and genius. The author presents evidence of his heterosexuality and secret girlfriends. She explains why he became so nomadic after his 2005 trial, why he always veiled his children in public, and why he always kept millions of dollars in cash within arm's reach. This book reveals the details of his last four mysterious years—where he went and what he did. His many private acts of kindness are disclosed as well as his global humanitarianism, which included $300 million in contributions to causes around the world.

SEE WWW.DEFENDINGAKING.COM FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOOK.
Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy is now available as an e-book through www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com, and the paperback is available from these same websites as well as from www.infinitypublishing.com.
Format: Paperback (498 pages) ISBN: 978-0-7414-7031-7 Only fifteen dollars.
Kindle: $7.69 NOOK: $8.45
Genre: Biography
Dr. Karen Moriarty has worked as a teacher of English and writing, a counselor, consultant, and administrator for public schools, and as a licensed clinical psychologist and therapist in private practice. Her first book, Baby Richard: A Four-Year-Old Comes Home (2003), presents the behind-the-scenes story of the highly-publicized case that rallied the public and changed her clients' lives forever.
THE AUTHOR MAY BE REACHED AT [e-mail] .

[Leo1107]

People at CBS, did you watch you oun coverage on the death of Michael Jackson? Dis you see Conrad Murray being convicted for manslaughter? I'm sure you did. Why then are you misleading readers with a headline that suggests that Mr. Jackson gave himself an overdose of this lethal drug. You people need to stop using this great man for your greedy purposes. I'm sure you made enough money at his expense when he was alive.

[newsguygeorge]

This is outrageous. European drugs companies stopped shipping the first anesthetic drug after they decided it should'n't be used in executions. If this happens with propofol, then Missouri will be responsible for limiting use of one of the best anesthetics available for surgery in the U.S. Furthermore, inducing anesthesia with propofol is not painless. It burns at the IV site, which is why a lidocaine injection is given in clinical settings.

I am not done with this issue.

[fight4right7]

I feel Michael Jackson's good name is being unfairly and negatively used in this title and article. The trial of Dr. Murray has already taken place to show that Michael Jackson did NOT "OD 'on any drugs. Why should Michael jackson and Dr. Murray be mentioned in this article at all-it's the same drug of concern that Murray had, but not at all the same situation! Why can't the article just report on the drug Propofol being used in executions, instead of adding information irrelevant to the subject matter. The purpose of this endeavor seems to be to slander MJ's name once again for ratings. It's extremely unjust to continue perpetrating this false image. Please take Michael Jackson out of this article;or please at least rid the title of the false information about an "overdose" that never happened.

[Nina Hamilton]

That headline is just sick and tasteless and typical of the American Press in a country where racism and the death penalty still exist in the 21st century. Ironic that it refers to executions because that could be what happened to Michael Jackson. I find it hard to believe that (Dr?) Conrad Murray, who had been giving Mr. Jackson Propofol for several weeks, was not aware of the dangers of over dosing. Four years was not enough for taking someone's life, whatever the circumstances. The headline should definitely be re-written in a truthful accurate manner to honour and remember a great deceased musical genius and humanitarian.

[Sincerity100]

This headline should be changed. You make it sound like Michael killed himself. That is NOT true! Conrad Murray killed Michael. Please change this headline and STOP using Michaels good name for NEGATIVE publicity. Thank you.

[ValmaiOwens]

If I were to make a guess, I would say that the title and opening sentence of this article is a deliberate attempt to draw ratings through sensationalized and misleading wording. CBS, we know you are aware of the Dr. Conrad Murray trial. He is the doctor who administered the overdose of Propofol to Mr. Jackson thus causing his death. He now sits in a LA County jail serving time for his crime, yet this vital fact always seems left out doesn't it. Mr. Jackson did not self-administer the drug that killed him. His incompetant and greedy doctor did. But, now that you have everyone's attention and your ratings with your eye-grabbing headline, I would ask respectfully that the wording of the title and opening sentence be changed to reflect the truth.

[juney07]

So this article is saying propofol will be used to kill people which is exactly what Murray did to Michael Jackson, whether unintentionally or otherwise. Will there be monitoring equipment at the side of the intended victim, or will the prop just freely flow as Murray did to Michael? After all, the point is to induce "death", right?

[NewMoon67]

It is unbelievable that in this recent news story a very important fact is overlooked here. That is the fact Michael Jackson did NOT OD himself, but that he was in the hands of an incompetent doctor, who did not follow the right procedures in giving a patient Propofol. Besides that he gave this powerful drug to his patient outside a hospital setting, which is absolutely necessary in order to guide that patient savely. Ask any anesthesiologist and he/ she will tell you! Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty and serves four years in prison as we speak. But Michael Jackson was powerful and demanded the drug, you might say? Murray was responsible and he was the doctor: he should have just walked away. But like Michael Jackson said years earlier: people do anything for money! Even sell their soul to the devil. So please do the right thing and change your headlines! It is always Michael Jackson who is blamed for everything by the media. But in this case he is clearly the victim. In case you hadn't noticed: he DIED because of the doctor!

[juney07]

Very strong point at the end here, MIchael died BECAUSE of his doctor. You must change your headline on this story.

[200damary]

Trash, you use misleading title so people can read this bs.