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Panel to release detailed report on Oklahoma's death penalty

Posted at 12:15 PM, Apr 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-25 19:47:35-04

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A commission that's been conducting a review of Oklahoma's use of the death penalty says the state should extend its moratorium on capital punishment.

Members of the Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission made the decision unanimously. The panel released its final, 300-plus page report Tuesday.

Former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry co-chaired the group. He said the volume and seriousness of flaws with the state's system still needs reform before it can carry out the death penalty.

Executions have been on hold in Oklahoma for more than two years while new protocols for carrying out death sentences could be developed. Fifteen Oklahoma death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and are awaiting execution dates

The report's release comes a day after Arkansas carried out two executions on the same day, part of an original plan to execute eight inmates over an 11-day period.

10:20 a.m.

An 11-member commission of prominent Oklahomans that's been conducting a comprehensive review of Oklahoma's use of the death penalty is expected to release its findings.

Members of the Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission will discuss their final report Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The commission was formed after Oklahoma's execution process faced increased scrutiny following a series of botched lethal injections. The report's release comes a day after neighboring Arkansas carried out two executions on the same day, part of an original plan to execute eight inmates over an 11-day period.

Executions have been on hold in Oklahoma for more than two years while the Department of Corrections develops new protocols for carrying out death sentences. Fifteen Oklahoma death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and are awaiting execution dates.

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