Attorney: Long should not be executed via lethal injection due to adverse reaction to anesthesia

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - At least eight Bay Area women were murdered by Robert "Bobby Joe" Long in 1984.

Tampa's notorious serial killer was sent to death row in 1986. Now, 35 years after he kidnapped and assaulted Lisa McVey Noland - and murdered Michelle Simms, Karen Dinsfriend, Peggy Long, Elizabeth Loudenback, Vicky Elliott, Chanel Williams, Kimberly Hopps, and Kim Marie Swan - Long is on death watch.

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant. But before Long faces the executioner, his attorney, Robert Norgard was in a Tampa courtroom fighting to keep his client alive.

Norward is asking for all of his client's medical records. The request stems from a surgery Long underwent in 2013 to have his gallbladder removed.

Hillsborough Judge Michelle Sisco explained Long allegedly had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. It apparently did not work the way it was supposed to and Long woke up during the procedure.  

Norgard argued Long could have an adverse reaction to one of the drugs used in the lethal injection, making the execution cruel and unusual, and therefore unconstitutional.

"My communication with [the Department of Corrections] was, 'He will be dead in four weeks so we need these records soon,'  so I would ask the court to have DOC comply for our request for medical records," argued Norgard.

The Department of Corrections is fighting the release of the records, but Judge Sisco agreed Long's attorneys should have them. The judge limited the number of medical records to the last 5 years.

On Wednesday, Norgard will be back in court to ask Judge Sisco to stay Long's execution so their doctor could have time review all the medical records.