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Missouri to Use Untested Drug Involved in Michael Jackson's Death for Executions

The same anesthetic that caused the overdose death of pop star Michael Jackson is now the drug of choice for executions in Missouri, causing a stir among critics who question how the state can guarantee a drug untested for lethal injection won't cause pain and suffering for the condemned. Missouri will be the first state ever to use propofol as an execution drug.

The same anesthetic that caused the overdose death of pop star Michael Jackson is now the drug of choice for executions in Missouri, causing a stir among critics who question how the state can guarantee a drug untested for lethal injection won't cause pain and suffering for the condemned. Missouri will be the first state ever to use propofol as an execution drug.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.