Just denies Va. lethal injection petition

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Circuit Court Judge Gregory Rupe Wednesday denied a petition challenging lethal injection in Virginia.

Criminal lawyers Meghan Shapiro and Christopher Leibig had argued executioners in Virginia were illegally practicing medicine, pharmacy and anesthesiology without certification, while attorneys for the Department of Corrections said executioners were not practicing medicine, as their aim was to end life, not sustain it.

Rupe denied the petition just before noon, CBS-TV, Richmond, reported Wednesday. It was not clear whether Shapiro and Leibig would file an appeal, the TV station said.