AP Interview: Doctor behind executions speaks out

[flashl]

By CHERYL WITTENAUER Associated Press Writer © 2008 The Associated Press
Aug. 15, 2008, 4:30AM

ST. LOUIS — He owns three Harleys, is a self-described staunch Roman Catholic — and has helped kill dozens of men. Dr. Alan Doerhoff calls himself the "world's authority on lethal injection."

The 64-year-old Missouri surgeon estimates he's presided over about 40 executions, and said he assisted Missouri, Arizona and the federal government modernize their execution procedures.

...

Doerhoff's name was in the news last month when the Arizona Republic reported that he apparently was involved in the May 2007 execution of Robert Comer, Arizona's first execution in nearly seven years. Doerhoff confirmed to the AP that he presided over that death.

Doerhoff also said he started the IVs and presided at all three executions in 2001 and 2003 at the Terre Haute, Ind., federal prison — including Timothy McVeigh's, sentenced to die for the 1995 bombing of an Oklahoma City federal building, which killed 168 people.

[zanne]

1. Wow. He's probably somebody's "grandpa". nt