The Last Execution in Oregon

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The last execution in the state had been in 1962 when Oregon was still using a gas chamber. The laws had changed, requiring executions to be performed by lethal injection. But no one in the state hadn't ever done one before.

Not long into his job as prison superintendent, Frank Thompson was asked to write the manual on lethal injection for the state of Oregon. Capital punishment had not been implemented in more than 30 years, and no one knew how to do it. Frank had to travel around the country learning how other states do it, and he asked his staff to practice. They simulated every step, including seating witnesses in the gallery, interacting with the press, and strapping each other to the gurney.

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