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Judge rejects condemned Ohio inmates' lethal injection constitutional claims

ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS AP Legal Affairs Writer
First Posted: May 23, 2012 - 5:28 pm
Last Updated: May 23, 2012 - 5:30 pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal judge has rejected claims by two condemned Ohio inmates challenging the constitutionality of the state's lethal injection process.

The two are the next inmates scheduled to die in the state, with Abdul Awkal (ab-DUHL' AW'-kuhl) set for execution June 6 and John Eley (EE'-lee) set to die July 26.

The two challenged Ohio's lethal injection process on the grounds it fails to guarantee the state won't execute someone who is insane, mentally disabled or was a juvenile when the crime was committed.

U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost on Wednesday said Awkal and Eley have misunderstood Ohio's long-running injection lawsuit, which focuses on the process of administering the lethal drugs, and don't back up their claims.

Attorney Allen Bohnert says he'll request that Frost reconsider the ruling.

Photo Gallery:
PHOTO: This undated photo provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections shows John Jeffrey Ely. On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, a federal judge rejected Ely's claim challenging the constitutionality of the state's lethal injection process. He is scheduled to be executed June 26. (AP Photo/Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections)

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