Hill Granted Stay of Execution Until July 18

Hill was scheduled to be executed at 7 p.m. the same day.

Hill’s attorneys filed an emergency motion on Friday. In the motion, they raised questions about the drug that would be used for the lethal injection.

Robyn Painter represented Hill in Court today. 

“They’re asking us to accept their word for it that this drug is okay, when in fact without the information about who the pharmacist is, where the supply of drugs come from, how it was manufactured —  we actually have no real information about what this drug is,” Painter says. 

Representing the state was Sabrina Graham. She told the judge the state analyzed the purity of the drug. 

But because the motion was filed late on Friday, Judge Tusan wanted more time for the hearing.

The hearing will continue on July 18 at 8 am. Meanwhile, the judge issued a stay of execution.

Painter told the judge they hope to  bring pharmacology experts to testify to the dangers if the drug is not mixed or stored properly.

Brian Kammer, Hill’s other attorney, says the state law that keeps the secrecy of the manufacturer supplying the drug Pentobarbital is not only unconstitutional, but potentially dangerous. 

“As things stand, we know nothing about it. Given the history of compounding pharmacies in this country, there’s a substantial likelihood that it’s contaminated or otherwise impure or ineffective,” Kammer says. 

Officials with the Department of Corrections declined to comment on the temporary stay of execution.

Meanwhile, Hill still has a petition pending with the United States Supreme Court.

He’s seeking a hearing to introduce new evidence that supports the claim he indeed is mentally disabled and should not be eligible for the death penalty.