Thomas Eugene Creech.Photo:Idaho Department of Corrections
Idaho Department of Corrections
Thomas Eugene Creech wasset to be the thirddeath row inmateexecutedin the country so far this year.
But an hour after Creech entered the death chamber Wednesday, Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt called off the execution, after determining that “the medical team could not establish an IV line,” per atimeline of eventsposted to Idaho Department of Correction’s website.
“I made the decision to stand down the execution based on the professional advice of our medical team,” Tewalt said in the statement, noting that he would allow Creech’s death date to expire without trying again that day. “It was the right decision.”
Idaho Maximum Security Institution.Idaho Department of Corrections
The Department of Correction’s statement and timelinedid not specifyhow many times medical staff attempted to execute Creech between 10 and 11 a.m. yesterday.
But Federal Defender Services of Idaho said in astatement Feb. 28that they “tried and failed 10 times to access Tom’s veins in both of his arms and both legs.”
Federal defenders called yesterday’s attempts a “botched execution,” alleging that the serum the state had planned to use was “mysteriously acquired pentobarbital.”
“We are angered but not surprised that the State of Idaho botched the execution of Thomas Creech,” they said, adding: “This is precisely the kind of mishap we warned the State and the Courts could happen when attempting to execute one of the country’s oldest death-row inmates in circumstances completely shielded in secrecy despite a well-known history of getting drugs from shady sources.”
Thomas Eugene Creech.Idaho Department of Corrections
Creech – a convicted serial killer on death row since 1983 – has been convicted of at least five murders in three states and is suspected in multiple others, per theAssociated Press.
Creech was placed on death row for the beating death of an inmate in Ada County, per hisonline registry, which lists him as one of eight death row inmates in the state.
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Execution table with podium, inside Idaho’s death chamber.Idaho Department of Corrections
Creech selected for what he believed to be his last meal: fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn and rolls. He had ice cream for dessert.
At 8:34 a.m. Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court issued orders denying all pending applications to halt his execution.
A new date for Creech’s execution has not been set,the AP reports.
In his statement Wednesday, Tewalt referred to his efforts to use alternative execution methods, which have gained momentum in other parts of the country.
Kenneth Eugene Smith, executed in Alabama Jan. 25, 2024.Alabama Department of Corrections via AP
Alabama Department of Corrections via AP
Last month, Alabamaexecuted the first American with nitrogen gasin whatKenneth Eugene Smith’s lawyers called an “experimental, never-before-used method” and which garnered extensive criticism after witnesses watched Smith wreathing and convulsing as he was put to death.
He said he was continuing to pursue the use of a firing squad as “a secondary method of execution.”
source: people.com
