Judge rejects California's death-penalty procedure - CNN

California's use of a three-drug combination in executing prisoners was declared invalid Friday by a Marin County judge, who ruled that a one-drug method should have been considered.

"The failure to discuss the one-drug method is a particularly significant omission, since use of a barbiturate-only protocol was raised by at least one commenter," wrote Marin County Judge Faye D'Opal in a nine-page ruling, referring to concerns raised during a public-comment period. Citing one of the three drugs used in the combination, she added, "several commenters make the identical assertion that use of pancuronium bromide is unnecessary, dangerous, and creates a risk of excruciating pain." Pancuronium bromide is a painkiller and muscle relaxant that induces paralysis.