SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon corrections officials say they have conducted a practice run of a lethal injection at the Oregon State Penitentiary to prepare for the possible execution of death row inmate Gary Haugen.
Tuesday’s practice came on the same day Haugen originally was scheduled to die. That date was scrubbed in June after the state Supreme Court told a judge to first order a mental competency evaluation for Haugen, who wants to waive his appeals.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.
Corrections Department spokeswoman Jeanine Hohn tells The Oregonian that (http://bit.ly/qRYcnq) the run-through helps train staff and ensure they can carry out an execution professionally. She said a staff member was to stand in for Haugen.
In a telephone interview Tuesday night, the inmate said no one told him ahead of time about the practice run. He adds that no one asked his lawyers to attend so they could identify problems or issues.
