Kentucky AG Asks Court to Force Beshear to Sign Death Warrant in Ralph Baze Case
The request seeks a Franklin Circuit Court ruling on whether a 2010 injunction bars Beshear from issuing a death warrant.
Overview
- Attorney General Russell Coleman asked the Franklin Circuit Court to overrule Gov. Andy Beshear and order the signing of a death warrant for Ralph Baze.
- Coleman argues the 2010 court order halting executions does not apply to Baze, while Beshear maintains it prevents any warrant from being signed.
- The attorney general cites Section 81 of the Kentucky Constitution to claim the governor is legally obligated to act.
- The motion, submitted by Principal Deputy AG Jack Heyburn and Assistant Solicitor General Christopher Henry, includes a letter from victim relative Lisa Briscoe Lally urging action.
- Kentucky has not executed anyone since 2008, execution regulations remain under review and lethal-injection drugs are unavailable, and the court has not yet ruled.