Serial Killer's Execution Halted After Botched Lethal Injection Attempt
An Associated Press reporter has witnessed the halted execution of a serial killer in Idaho after multiple failed attempts to carry out the lethal injection. Here's what you need to know about the case and what comes next.
What happened?
Thomas Eugene Creech, a 73-year-old serial killer, was scheduled to be executed in Idaho for the beating death of a disabled fellow inmate in 1981.
During the execution attempt, three medical team members made eight unsuccessful attempts to establish an IV, encountering difficulties accessing the vein or concerns about its quality.
The execution was ultimately halted after nearly an hour of unsuccessful attempts.
What's next for Creech?
Creech's death warrant expired after the failed execution attempt. His attorneys have filed a new request for a stay in federal court, arguing that the botched attempt proves the department's inability to carry out a humane execution.
It is unclear what the next steps will be and when another execution attempt may take place.
Creech's attorneys may argue that his medical conditions make lethal injection impossible and further attempts would constitute torture.
Does Idaho have other options?
Idaho lawmakers have authorized execution by firing squad when lethal injection is not available, but no facility or standard operating policy has been established for this method yet.
Access to lethal injection drugs has become increasingly challenging for states, as pharmaceutical companies restrict sales for use in executions.
Idaho lawmakers have also increased secrecy surrounding the sourcing of execution drugs and the identities of the execution team members.
What's happened in other states?
Lethal injection is the main method of execution in the United States, but there have been several instances of botched executions.
Other states, such as Alabama, have faced challenges with executing prisoners due to problems with IV lines.
Idaho does not allow execution by nitrogen hypoxia, a method used in some states.
