Temporary halt to Mississippi executions

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the state of Mississippi from using two drugs in executions, shutting down the death penalty in the state for now.

US District Judge Henry T Wingate issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday saying Mississippi officials cannot use pentobarbital or midazolam, two drugs used to render prisoners unconscious. 

Mississippi law requires a 3-drug process, with the sedative followed by a paralysing agent and a drug that stops an inmate’s heart. Jim Craig, a lawyer for inmates, said Wingate gave the order in a phone conference.