'Spate' of executions expected in U.S.

WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- Death penalty opponents are predicting a large number of executions this summer in U.S. states now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on lethal injections.

The high court ruled last week that the three-drug cocktail used to put condemned prisoners to death wasn't considered cruel or unusual punishment.

The Death Penalty Information Center told The Washington Post that several states had suspended executions pending the outcome of the case. The ruling has since caused those states to get their plans back on schedule.

"I actually expect to see a spate of scheduled executions," said center Executive Director Richard Dieter.

The Post said Virginia appeared to be the likely first location for an execution. Double-murderer Kevin Green is scheduled to be put to death May 27.