LAS VEGAS — A Nevada judge is focusing on whether federal product recall laws apply in a bid by drugmakers to block use of their products for a twice-postponed execution.
Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez in Las Vegas issued an order Wednesday after the state Supreme Court canceled fast-track oral arguments this week on a state bid to reschedule the execution in November.
The judge says she’ll now take until Sept. 28 to decide whether to block use of company drugs.
Gonzalez had planned to rule Friday, after hearing more than three days of testimony on the companies’ request for a restraining order.
She’s now calling for written briefings about product recalls from attorneys for the state and the pharmaceutical firms.
In the state Supreme Court case, 15 other death-penalty states are siding with Nevada.