LETHAL INJECTION LIKELY TO REPLACE ELECTRIC CHAIR.(MAIN)

Byline: DAVID GERMAIN Associated Press

BUFFALO New York, the first place to use the electric chair, probably will adopt lethal injection to execute killers when the state restores the death penalty, the state Legislature's chief capital punishment advocate said Monday.

State Sen. Dale Volker said lawmakers are leaning toward lethal injection because it is considered more humane and might appease critics who are queasy at the thought of strapping murderers into the electric chair.

Using lethal injections also could deflect court challenges from death row inmates who might claim that electrocution is cruel and unusual punishment and, as such, …