The Nevada Press Association Invokes the First Amendment to Ensure Access to the State’s First Execution in Years
A Nevada print news organization and the American Civil Liberties Union are suing to ensure access to what could be the state’s first execution in 15 years.
A federal lawsuit invoking First Amendment rights seeks a court order banning state prisons chief Charles Daniels from preventing witnesses, including reporters, from observing the lethal injection of convicted killer Zane Michael Floyd.
State and federal judges have put off Floyd’s execution until at least late October to allow time for appeals to be heard.
“The press are the people’s representatives, and you need to ensure the press has complete access,” Richard Karpel, executive director of the Nevada Press Association, said Thursday. “It’s a huge deal when the state takes a life. It’s really important that everyone understand everything about the process.”
