No. 17-8151October Term 2018Decided Apr 1, 2019
Bucklew v. Precythe
Russell Bucklew, a death-row inmate with a unique medical condition, challenged Missouri's lethal injection protocol under the Eighth Amendment, arguing it would cause him severe pain.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 1, 2019
- What it's about
Russell Bucklew, a death-row inmate with a unique medical condition, challenged Missouri's lethal injection protocol under the Eighth Amendment, arguing it would cause him severe pain. The Supreme Court ruled that he failed to meet his burden of proving a feasible alternative method of execution that would significantly reduce his risk of pain.
Question presented
Whether petitioner met his burden under Glossip v. [Gross]?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit / Decision released Apr 1, 2019
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided April 1, 2019
The Court released its decision on April 1, 2019 without hearing oral argument.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jun 2, 2026
- Method
- Methodology