Attorney general wants to slow down the pace of executions in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's flurry of death penalty cases over the next few months is "unsustainable," said Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has asked a state court to slow down the pace of executions.

Drummond, who was sworn into office this month, filed a request with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals that there be at least 60 days between executions, instead of the current 30-day pace.

"The current pace of executions is unsustainable in the long run, as it is unduly burdening the (Oklahoma Department of Corrections) and its personnel," Drummond wrote in his motion to the court.

The motion claims Drummond recently interviewed Corrections Department leadership and personnel to hear how the process can be improved.

"Based on the feedback he received, a determination was made to request a revised execution schedule in order to alleviate the burden on DOC personnel, maintain confidence in the system, and preserve this solemn and important process," the motion states.

Executions in Oklahoma: The state plans to execute 10 people this year, not counting the execution of Scott Eizember last week. If those executions are carried out, it would be the most of any state.

Eizember’s execution was the eighth by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary since 2021.

Opponents want to end executions: Opponents of the death penalty claim too many wrongful convictions have been discovered and that capital punishment is inhumane.

More:OKC church prepares to paint second cross at anti-death penalty vigil

"The way it's being applied in Oklahoma and in America right now is too tainted with big issues, particularly racial inequity and wrongful convictions," said the Rev. John-Mark Hart, one of 26 pastors who recently called for a moratorium on the death penalty in Oklahoma.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond wants to slow pace of executions