Utah State Prison: The execution chamber after Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad. (AP Photo/Trent Nelson - Pool)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Saying it's time to stop letting convicted killers "get off that easy," a Florida state lawmaker wants to use firing squads or the electric chair for those on death row.
Rep. Brad Drake filed a bill this week that would end the use of lethal injection in Florida executions. Instead, those with a death sentence would choose between electrocution or a firing squad.
Drake, a Republican, says the idea came to him after having a conversation with a constituent at a Waffle House over the legal battles associated with last month's execution of Manuel Valle. Valle's lawyers tried to stop the execution by arguing that a new lethal drug cocktail would cause him pain and constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature will consider the bill during the 2012 session.