LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An attorney for eight Arkansas inmates scheduled to be put to death beginning later this month is asking a judge to rule in their favor before the lawsuit alleging new death penalty procedures are unconstitutional goes to trial.

Attorney Jeff Rosenzweig filed motions in circuit court Thursday saying a new secrecy law violates an agreement prisoners have with the state. He said if a judge doesn’t rule in their favor, the judge should impose an emergency injunction to protect the inmates’ lives.

Arkansas intends to resume executions Oct. 21. The source of its lethal drugs is secret under a new state law, but Rosenzweig said Arkansas previously agreed to tell inmates the origin of the lethal drugs.

He said a court order is needed to prevent any inmate’s execution.

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