The Latest: Nevada justices ponder 1st execution since ‘06

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - The Latest on an appeal before the Nevada Supreme Court that would allow the state to move forward with its first execution of a death row inmate in 12 years (all times local PDT):

1:50 p.m.

State and county lawyers are urging Nevada’s Supreme Court to overturn a Las Vegas judge’s ruling blocking the first execution of an inmate on Nevada’s death row in 12 years.

Attorneys for Clark County and the Nevada Department of Corrections told the justices in Carson City Tuesday the federal public defenders trying to stop the execution of a twice-convicted killer are really just advancing generic arguments in opposition to the death penalty.

Public defenders and the American Civil Liberties Union counter that Nevada’s plan would subject Scott Raymond Dozier to an unacceptable risk of pain and suffering using a combination of three drugs never tried before in the United States.

Dozier says he wants to be put to death as soon as possible regardless of which drugs are used in the lethal injection the lower court blocked in November.

The ACLU says the experimental mixture of drugs includes a paralytic that’s illegal to use when euthanizing pets in Nevada.

A ruling in the case isn’t expected for weeks.

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8 a.m.

Nevada’s Supreme Court is considering whether to allow the state to move forward with its first execution of a death row inmate in 12 years.

Federal public defenders and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging Nevada’s plan to use a combination of three drugs never tried before in the United States.

Twice-convicted killer Scott Raymond Dozier says he wants to be put to death as soon as possible, and doesn’t care what drugs are used in the fatal injection that a judge in Las Vegas blocked in November after opponents argued one of the drugs could cover up potential suffering.

The Supreme Court scheduled an hour’s worth of oral arguments Tuesday in Carson City. A ruling is not expected Tuesday and could be months away.

The ACLU says the experimental mixture of drugs includes a paralytic that’s illegal to use when euthanizing pets in Nevada.

It says the execution would violate the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting “cruel and unusual punishment” as well the Nevada constitution, which outlaws “either” cruel or unusual punishment.