Tennessee governor signs bill allowing electric chair

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Thursday signed into law a bill allowing the state to use the electric chair to execute inmates is authorities are unable to purchase the needed drugs for lethal injection, The Associated Press reported.

The move comes amid a nationwide shortage of drugs used in executions and also a growing backlash against lethal injection. Opponents argue condemned inmates suffer during the execution.

Tennessee lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the electric chair measure last month. Legal challenges to the new Tennessee state law are expected.

Eight states, including Tennessee, currently have the electric chair as a method of execution, UPI reported.

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http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tennessee-signs-bill-allow-electric-chair
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/05/23/Tennessee-governor-signs-bill-allowing-electric-chair-if-state-cant-obtain-lethal-drugs/4491400815433/