Mississippi Wants Pharmacy Used For Executions Secret

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Lawyers for Mississippi’s prison system say a judge should let the prisons keep secret the pharmacy that supplies a crucial execution drug.

But those seeking the record say such secrecy violates the state’s public records law. They demand the Department of Corrections release records without the information blacked out.

Both sides made their case Monday before Hinds County Chancery Judge Denise Owens, who says she will rule soon on the issue.

Special Assistant Attorney General Paul Barnes says those suing are trying to cut off drug supplies to halt executions in Mississippi.

The argument comes as Attorney General Jim Hood pushes state lawmakers to approve a bill cloaking many aspects of Mississippi executions in secrecy. But Barnes says, at least in this case, Owens can act even under current law.