Arkansas has executed Ledell Lee in the US state's first use of the death penalty in 12 years. It came after the US Supreme Court rejected a challenge arguing Arkansas was unfairly rushing several executions before its supply of a lethal injection drug expires at the end of April. <br/><br/>Yesterday the state's Supreme Court overturned a ruling blocking the use of a different drug. Lee was convicted of murder and recently told he was innocent. His third request to stay the execution was denied.<br/><br/>He was pronounced dead today at the state's death chamber in its Cummins Unit prison. A Department of Corrections spokesman said his death warrant was due to expire at midnight.