We’ve discussed this in prior posts, but lots of people forget that there are legal and SCOTUS-approved methods of execution on the books in Florida, Texas, and other states other than lethal injection.
Old Sparky Stands Ready
In Florida, execution by electrocution using an electric chair nicknamed "Old Sparky" remains a constitutionally acceptable method of capital punishment. And while Old Sparky hasn’t been used in 16 years, it’s still available to the State of Florida.
No one has dismantled Old Sparky.
For more on the historical use of the electric chair in U.S. executions, read our earlier post Electric Chair Executions: Consider This Historical Alternative to Lethal Injection.
Doty’s Request to Circumvent Lethal Injection Method Is Logical
Which means that when Florida Death Row inmate Wayne Doty requested that the electric chair be the execution method used for him, he was pretty savvy. There’s no legal controversy pending before the Supreme Court of the United States over the electric chair like there is lethal injection methods and procedures.
Wayne Doty wants to be executed as soon as possible for his "spiritual freedom." By opting for the electric chair, he has a much higher chance of achieving that goal because he’s circumventing all the constitutional fights over lethal injection as an execution method.
Whether or not Mr. Doty’s request to be executed as soon as it can be arranged will be respected has yet to be decided. The court must confirm his mental health status in making this kind of request, for one thing.
Most Death Row inmates fight to live — having a Death Row inmate fight to die does bring his mental health into question.
As for what will happen to Wayne Doty’s request to be executed in Old Sparky, it’s too soon to tell.