A federal court has ruled that an execution set for Dec. 8 can go forward due to a change in Ohio's lethal injection policies.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said Wednesday that the change renders moot Kenneth Biros' argument that the state's former policy using a three-drug vein injection is unconstitutional.
A U.S. District Court judge had temporarily delayed Biros' execution after the governor halted the lethal injection of another inmate in September because prison staff could not find suitable veins.
The state last week announced that it was changing its protocol, effective Nov. 30, to use a one-drug vein injection with a backup two-drug muscle injection.
A message seeking comment was left for Biros' attorney Wednesday morning.