Though the ACLU is against the death penalty, the group argues that death row prisoners should at least be permitted to exercise their religious freedom.
In a rare instance of agreement, the American Civil Liberties Union and some conservative religious groups have established similar positions on the religious rights an inmate should have in the execution chamber.
"If the state is going to engage in this practice, it should make every effort to honor the dignity and religious liberties of those it plans to kill," said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "The answer is 'No,'" she decided, proceeding with her mission to the death chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, where in August 2020 Battista said a silent prayer while witnessing the lethal injection of Keith Dwayne Nelson, convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing a 10-year-old girl.
Ramirez, sentenced to death for the 2004 murder of a convenience store clerk, was scheduled to be executed September 8, but the Supreme Court ordered a delay to consider claims that restrictions on the pastor's role would violate his religious liberties.
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