Oklahoma would become the first state to execute condemned inmates using nitrogen gas to asphyxiate them under a proposal that will be presented next week to a legislative committee.
Oklahoma City Republican Rep. Mike Christian says he will unveil details of the plan Tuesday during an interim study of the House Judiciary Committee and that he plans to introduce a bill next year.
Christian requested the study following Oklahoma's botched April 29 lethal injection of Clayton Lockett, who writhed on the gurney, clenched his teeth and moaned before being pronounced dead about 43 minutes after his execution began.
Christian initially proposed the use of a firing squad, but said nitrogen asphyxiation would be painless and easier to carry out.
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