Ketamine was first developed in 1962. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medication needed in a basic health system. It is legally sold under a very wide variety of brand names, including Ketalar.
If the crime you commit (generally just first degree murder) is in a state that does not have the death penalty then the only way you can be executed is if you are tried in a federal court as opposed to a state court.
Who causes death penalty cases to umpteen appeals, death penalty opponents. The fact is that the additional cost for Death Penalty cases factors in 15+ years of incarceration costs. If the appeal was done in less than 2 years, it is much cheaper to shoot the scumbag in the brain, then house and feed him for life.