A Death Penalty Moratorium?

Is there a stay on all US executions? The Supreme Court has recently granted 2 and refused to nix a third, as more inmates challenge lethal injection. “The states are getting the message,” says one expert, while another mentions “moratorium mojo” on his blog. But critics warn that it's not so simple: The Supreme Court's messages are mixed, and it won't rule on lethal injection's constitutionality per se in 2008.

The court may just set a standard required for fighting lethal injection, the New York Times reports. What's more, justices aren't demanding that states stay executions until next year's ruling. Says a Berkeley prof, “It would be inaccurate and very presumptuous to call this a moratorium. What we’re seeing is a combination of different courts, and different executives, deciding to be prudent” until next year. (More US Supreme Court stories.)