Florida Supreme Court stays Manuel Valle's execution so judge can hear arguments on use of new drug

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court has stayed convicted killer Manuel Valle's execution so a judge can hear arguments over the use of a new lethal injection drug.

The justices on Monday delayed the execution for a month, from Aug. 2 until Sept. 1, absent further order of the high court.

Valle was convicted of killing a Coral Gables police officer 33 years ago.

Florida and several other states have been forced to seek alternatives to sodium thiopental, part of a three-drug cocktail used in lethal injections.

That's because the sedative's sole U.S. manufacturer has stopped making it.

Florida last month adopted a new procedure that substitutes pentobarbital.

Valle's lawyers contend the new drug's use will subject him to "substantial risk of harm."

Source: AP, July 25, 2011

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