9th Circuit rules in news groups’ execution case

A federal appeals court has ruled that The Associated Press and 16 other news organizations should be allowed full viewing access to an upcoming Idaho execution.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the decision Friday in a lawsuit filed by the news organizations seeking to change Idaho’s lethal injection process, saying it’s unconstitutionally restrictive.

The lawsuit aimed to strike down a portion of Idaho’s regulations that prevent witnesses – including reporters acting as representatives of the public – from watching executions until after catheters have been inserted into the veins of death row inmates.