AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Supreme Court has cleared the way for the disclosure of an execution drug supplier that the nation's busiest death penalty state has fought for years to keep under wraps.
The decision Friday is expected to only identify the supplier Texas used in two 2014 executions. Gov. Greg Abbott signed a measure into law the next year allowing the state to keep future supplier records secret. Republicans hold all seats on the Texas Supreme Court and issued no comment while keeping in place a lower ruling to reveal the supplier identity.
Attorney Maurie Levin sought the supplier name in 2014 on behalf of a death-row inmate. She called the decision a victory for transparency.
A federal judge ruled Thursday that Alabama must reveal details of its lethal injection procedure.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
FDA Finalizes Refusal to Give Texas Foreign Execution Drugs
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Suing FDA Over Delayed Execution Drugs