PHOENIX (AP) -
A state appellate court is rejecting a challenge to the constitutionality of Arizona's injection execution law but warning the state that last-minute changes in execution procedures are a problem.
A lawsuit filed for death-row inmates argued that the execution law delegates too much authority to the Department of Corrections to decide how to conduct executions.
The lawsuit said that violates the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers between branches of government.
A three-judge Court of Appeals panel's ruling rejects that claim and as well as another that inmates have been deprived of meaningful legal review of changes in execution procedures.
However, the ruling says courts' consideration of some changes has been rushed. And it says there could be a constitutional violation if continued last-minute changes hamper courts' reviews of them.
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