California execution delayed by legal wranglings

The execution of a US man convicted of raping and murdering a 17-year-old girl was delayed indefinitely today after two anaesthetists refused to participate because of ethical concerns about their involvement.

Defence lawyers requested a stay from the federal judge who last week ordered California’s San Quentin State Prison to have an anaesthetist present to minimise Michael Angelo Morales’ pain as he was put to death by lethal injection. A second anaesthetist was retained as a backup.