The Los Angeles Times is reporting the Justice Department is putting the final touches on regulations that would allow Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales to grant states the power to fast-track the execution of death row prisoners. Under the rules, Gonzales could allow prosecutors to shorten the time prisoners have to appeal convictions to federal courts. Advocates for death row prisoners and some legal experts say the rules could increase the chances of the state executing innocent people. Kathryn Kase of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said, “This is the Bush administration throwing down the gauntlet and saying, 'We are going to speed up executions.'”