{"argument_date":"2006-04-26T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-04-26T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Doss argued that challenges to execution procedures belong in civil rights actions.","Mr. Shanmugam argued that failing to name an alternative equates to challenging the sentence itself.","Justice Scalia questioned the practical implications of allowing repeated challenges to new methods.","Justice Souter inquired about the specific injunctive relief requested by the side that brought the case."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-11"}]}],"caption":"Hill v. McDonough","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.515440Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a prisoner must propose a lawful alternative method to challenge a state's execution protocol.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-04-26T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/05-8794.html","primary_docket":"05-8794","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:23:39.055680Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of prisoner rights regarding execution methods. It defines the procedural path for challenging state protocols."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 26, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case seeks to block the state's execution method.","the opposing side seeks to proceed with the current execution method."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the state's method violates constitutional standards.","the opposing side argues the prisoner must propose a lawful alternative method."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if the prisoner could challenge any new state method.","Justice Souter asked what specific relief the side that brought the case requested."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the procedural requirements for challenging execution methods. It clarifies the balance between prisoner rights and state authority."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-11"}]}],"slug":"2005-05-8794-hill-v-mcdonough","term":"2005","title":"Can a prisoner block an execution method without naming a legal alternative?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 9-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-8794.pdf","page_label":"file page 39, lines 45-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}