Transition of Execution Methods
The electric chair became a subject of strong controversy in the 1990s after three executions received considerable media attention and were labeled as "botched" by opponents (Jesse Tafero in 1990, Pedro Medina in 1997, and Allen Lee Davis in 1999). While most states switched to the lethal injection, many politicians in Florida opposed giving up "Old Sparky", seeing it as a deterrent. After Medina's execution, the Florida Senate voted unanimously to keep the chair, and the Florida House of Representatives concurred with only a few opposing votes, despite Governor Lawton Chiles and Attorney General Bob Butterworth suggestions to introduce injection. Lethal injection was introduced as a backup method if the electric chair were ever to be found unconstitutional.
Finally, after Davis execution, lethal injection became the standard method. Inmates, however, may still choose electrocution, though none have chosen this method since the Davis execution.
Read more about this topic: Capital Punishment In Florida
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