By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Supreme Court on Monday set an August 31st execution date for Timothy Johnston.
He's one of Missouri's longest-serving death row inmates. He was convicted of kicking and beating his wife to death in St. Louis in 1989. He was convicted in 1991.
Johnston, 44, is trying to block his execution on grounds that lethal injection would violate his constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment.
That case is still pending.
His lawsuit claims the state's chemical mixture will cause him to "consciously suffer an excruciating painful and protracted death." Attorney General Jay Nixon said he would continue to fight any attempts by Johnston to avoid execution.