USA - Arkansas. One of Arkansas' execution drugs will expire June 30, and might be impossible to replace

One of Arkansas' execution drugs will expire, and might be impossible to replace before a court decision upholding the state's execution law goes into effect. Attorney general spokesman Judd Deere for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said Friday that she will not ask the state's Supreme Court to expedite finalizing its Thursday ruling that upheld Arkansas' execution secrecy law and drug protocol. The execution dates for eight death row inmates were put on hold pending their challenge to the law. Generally rulings become final 18 days after opinions are issued. Without the attorney general's request, the ruling will go into effect July 11 - days after the state's supply of vecuronium bromide, a paralytic the state uses in executions, expires. "After careful consideration and analysis the attorney general has decided not to seek an expedited mandate from the court. But once the court issues the mandate, the attorney general is fully prepared to ask the governor to set execution dates to see that justice is served," said attorney general spokesman Judd Deere. After the mandate is issued, the stays on the eight executions would be lifted. But with one of the three drugs expiring June 30 and the supplier telling the state it would not provide more, it was unclear when the state would be able to resume executions. Gov. Asa Hutchinson set the eight execution dates last September, almost a decade after the last execution in Arkansas in 2005. Court challenges and drug shortages had stalled executions during that time.