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Oklahoma botches execution leaving inmate writhing in agony Botched Oklahoma execution leaves inmate writhing on gurney
(35 minutes later)
The state of Oklahoma botched the execution of one inmate and was forced to call off another on Tuesday night after what a corrections official described as a "vein failure".The state of Oklahoma botched the execution of one inmate and was forced to call off another on Tuesday night after what a corrections official described as a "vein failure".
The execution of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett was halted nearly 20 minutes after it began, but he later died of a heart attack inside the execution chamber at the Oklahoma state penitentiary.The execution of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett was halted nearly 20 minutes after it began, but he later died of a heart attack inside the execution chamber at the Oklahoma state penitentiary.
For three minutes after the first drugs were delivered, he struggled violently, groaned and writhed, lifting his shoulders and head from the gurney before the blinds to the room were lowered 16 minutes after the execution began.For three minutes after the first drugs were delivered, he struggled violently, groaned and writhed, lifting his shoulders and head from the gurney before the blinds to the room were lowered 16 minutes after the execution began.
The execution of Charles Warner, scheduled for 8pm local time, was subsequently postponed. Both executions were to be carried out with a drug cocktail using dosages never before tried in American executions.The execution of Charles Warner, scheduled for 8pm local time, was subsequently postponed. Both executions were to be carried out with a drug cocktail using dosages never before tried in American executions.
Robert Patton, the director of Oklahoma's department of corrections, said later that when doctors felt that the drugs were not having the required effect on Lockett, they discovered that a vein had ruptured.
"After conferring with the warden, and unknown how much drugs went into him, it was my decision at that time to stop the execution," Patton told reporters.
Lockett, 38, was convicted of the killing of 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman in 1999. She was shot and buried alive. Lockett was also convicted of raping her friend in the violent home invasion that lead to Neiman's death.Lockett, 38, was convicted of the killing of 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman in 1999. She was shot and buried alive. Lockett was also convicted of raping her friend in the violent home invasion that lead to Neiman's death.
Warner, 46, was found guilty of raping and killing 11-month-old Adrianna Waller in 1997. He lived with the child's mother.Warner, 46, was found guilty of raping and killing 11-month-old Adrianna Waller in 1997. He lived with the child's mother.
The state was to lethally inject Lockett and Warner with midazolam followed by vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. Florida has used a similar method, but it employed a dose of midazolam five times greater. Ohio used midazolam alongside a different drug, hydromorphone, in the January execution of Dennis McGuire, which took more than 20 minutes.The state was to lethally inject Lockett and Warner with midazolam followed by vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. Florida has used a similar method, but it employed a dose of midazolam five times greater. Ohio used midazolam alongside a different drug, hydromorphone, in the January execution of Dennis McGuire, which took more than 20 minutes.
Oklahoma corrections spokesman Jerry Massie briefed the media ahead of the executions and said they would probably take longer than normal, because the first drug was expected to work more slowly. "Don't be surprised," Massie said.Oklahoma corrections spokesman Jerry Massie briefed the media ahead of the executions and said they would probably take longer than normal, because the first drug was expected to work more slowly. "Don't be surprised," Massie said.
The Guardian watched as Lockett was covered in a white sheet when the execution began at 6.23pm. He said "no" when asked for final words. At 6.30pm, he was found to be still conscious.The Guardian watched as Lockett was covered in a white sheet when the execution began at 6.23pm. He said "no" when asked for final words. At 6.30pm, he was found to be still conscious.
He was pronounced unconscious at 6.33pm, and his violent struggle began three minutes later. He tried to speak, and was heard to say "man" at 6:39pm. Then the blinds were lowered. At 7:06 pm Lockett had a heart attack and died, according to corrections director Robert Patton. Lockett was pronounced unconscious at 6.33pm, and his violent struggle began three minutes later. He tried to speak, and was heard to say "man" at 6:39pm. Then the blinds that separated the execution chamber from the viewing room were lowered. Patton, the prisons chief, said Lockett had a heart attack and died at 7.06 pm.
The execution of Charles Warner was stayed for 14 days. Patton said there was a "vein failure". The execution of Charles Warner was postponed for 14 days.
The double executions were scheduled after an unprecedented legal and political dispute in Oklahoma. The inmates challenged the secrecy surrounding Oklahoma's source of lethal injection drugs, winning at the state district court level, but two higher courts argued over which could grant a stay of execution.The double executions were scheduled after an unprecedented legal and political dispute in Oklahoma. The inmates challenged the secrecy surrounding Oklahoma's source of lethal injection drugs, winning at the state district court level, but two higher courts argued over which could grant a stay of execution.
When the state supreme court stayed their executions so that it could consider their constitutional claim, the Republican governor, Mary Fallin, said it had no authority to grant the stay. A House member said he would try to have the justices who wanted the stay impeached. The court then ruled against the prisoners and lifted the stay.When the state supreme court stayed their executions so that it could consider their constitutional claim, the Republican governor, Mary Fallin, said it had no authority to grant the stay. A House member said he would try to have the justices who wanted the stay impeached. The court then ruled against the prisoners and lifted the stay.