LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says the state is still working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to try to import lethal injection drugs from India.
But the governor declined to say Wednesday whether he believes the state could carry out an execution before the November 2016 election, when voters will decide whether to keep the punishment on the books.
Ricketts says the state is moving one step at a time, concentrating first on obtaining the drugs. The previous supply expired in 2013.
Nebraska lawmakers voted to abolish the death penalty in May over the governor's veto, triggering a petition drive that garnered enough support to place the issue on the ballot and prevent the law from going into effect until voters decide its fate.
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