No drug to carry out death penalty

Two days after the shooting deaths of nine people during a Bible study at a Charleston church, Republican Gov. Nikki Haley made a bold public statement: The gunman “absolutely” should be put to death. But her state, though largely pro-death penalty, can’t secure one of the drugs needed for lethal injections and hasn’t executed an inmate since 2011.

Any potential execution order for Dylann Storm Roof, 21, would be years away. He is charged with nine counts of murder in Wednesday’s massacre. He appeared briefly before a judge Friday, and his next court appearance isn’t until October. Haley made her comments Friday on NBC’s Today show, but the governor has no power in Roof’s prosecution or sentencing.

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South Carolina’s supply of pentobarbital, one of three drugs in the state’s lethal injection, expired in 2013. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling has made it clear to legislators his agency can’t buy any more, even as 44 people are on death row in the state. All attempts to purchase more have failed — a problem in states nationwide. Some are trying to find new drugs and new sources for drugs because pharmaceutical companies have stopped selling them for executions and pharmacists are reluctant to expose themselves to possible harassment.

Stirling advocated this year for a bill that would keep secret the information of any company or pharmacist providing execution drugs, saying that should help secure them. But bills have stalled in both chambers, and opponents urged legislators not to vote for government secrecy.

The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s three-drug injection, with inmates arguing it doesn’t reliably produce unconsciousness and causes pain and suffering. State House Judiciary Chairman Greg Delleney,