FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, Nevada death row inmate Scott Raymond Dozier confers with Lori Teicher, a federal public defender involved in his case, during an appearance in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. Questions arose about the upcoming execution of death row inmate Dozier, who wants to die, with a disclosure in court that the state official who signed off on the untried three-drug protocol has resigned. Clark County District Court Judge Jennifer Togliatti responded with surprise Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, when she was told that Dr. John DiMuro quit Monday, Oct. 30, as chief state medical officer. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter, File)
November 03, 2017 - 7:08 PM
LAS VEGAS - A Nevada judge is asking who's in charge of the upcoming execution of a death-row inmate who wants his sentence carried out, after the state's top doctor quit.
Clark County District Court Judge Jennifer Togliatti on Friday gave the state attorney general's office until Monday to come up with an answer.
Time is short. Scott Dozier's lethal injection is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Ely State Prison.
Federal public defenders are challenging a never-before-tried combination of three drugs the former chief state medical officer, Dr. John DiMuro, approved for the first execution in Nevada in 11 years.
They argue Dozier could be "awake and aware" for several minutes while he suffocates to death.
They also note the chief state medical officer is supposed to oversee parts of the preparation and delivery of the execution drugs.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017