Ohio Killer Awaits 1st US 1-Drug Lethal Injection

LUCASVILLE, Ohio - An Ohio killer who scattered a woman's remains across two states is set to become the first person in the U.S. to die by lethal injection with a single drug.

The Tuesday morning procedure for inmate Kenneth Biros would be the first lethal injection since Ohio's switch from using a three-drug combination.

Most death penalty experts agree the new method will take longer. Biros argues it could subject him to severe pain.

If the one-drug method fails, a backup plan allows executioners to inject drugs directly into muscles instead of veins.

Ohio overhauled its procedure after a September attempt to execute a rapist was halted by Gov. Ted Strickland when executioners couldn't find a usable vein for injection.

Other death penalty states are watching Ohio's procedure but haven't made a similar change.