Botched execution of serial killer in Idaho puts focus on capital punishment secrecy laws
1 year ago

Botched execution of serial killer in Idaho puts focus on capital punishment secrecy laws

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — In 2012, two Idaho prison officials chartered a private plane and flew to Washington state with thousands of dollars in cash. After prison officials said the pharmacist’s exposure had scared away other lethal drug suppliers, Idaho lawmakers barred such information from getting out again. Creech’s execution team comprised volunteers who, according to Idaho execution protocols, were required to have at least three years of medical experience, such as having been a paramedic, and to have “current venous access proficiency.” They were not necessarily doctors, who famously take an oath to “do no harm” — though Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt later told lawmakers that the executioners regularly use their IV skills to save lives in their day jobs. “What we won’t do is tell you their names.” Tewalt also disagreed with characterizing the attempt as “botched” — stopping the execution after the failed IVs prevented the process from truly going awry, he said. “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,” Creech’s attorneys, with the nonprofit Federal Defender Services of Idaho, said in a written statement.

Law Information States Texas State Idaho Lethal Injection Lethal Creech Secrecy Tewalt Execution Drug Drug Suppliers  serial  punishment  execution  drug  secrecy  information  state  killer  idaho  capital  states  law  laws  puts  suppliers  lethal  focus

History of this topic

Idaho: Firing squad could become state’s main execution method under a bill awaiting governor’s approval
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Idaho: Firing squad could become state’s main execution method under a bill awaiting governor’s approval

CNN  

Boise, Idaho AP — Death by firing squad could become Idaho’s primary method of execution under a bill headed to the governor’s desk this week. Rep. Doug Ricks, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation was spurred by Idaho’s botched attempt to execute Thomas Eugene Creech last year, when execution team members were unable to find a suitable vein for an …

Lethal injection, electrocution and now firing squads. A look at US execution methods
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Lethal injection, electrocution and now firing squads. A look at US execution methods

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — South Carolina is preparing this week to execute a man by firing squad, a capital punishment method that hasn’t been used in the U.S. in nearly 15 years. Since the Supreme Court lifted its ban on capital punishment in 1976, states have used five different execution methods: lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad and hanging. Here’s a …

News groups sue Idaho prison leader for increased witness access to lethal injection executions
3 months, 3 weeks ago

News groups sue Idaho prison leader for increased witness access to lethal injection executions

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — The Associated Press and two other news organizations are suing Idaho’s top prison official for increased access to lethal injection executions, saying the state is unconstitutionally hiding the actual administration of the deadly drugs from public view. The news organizations contend the public has a First Amendment right to witness the entire execution process, including when execution …

Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted of Idaho student murders, judge rules
4 months, 1 week ago

Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted of Idaho student murders, judge rules

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler handed down his …

Federal judge temporarily halts Idaho’s plan to try a second time to execute a man on death row
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Federal judge temporarily halts Idaho’s plan to try a second time to execute a man on death row

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Idaho says it will try again to execute prisoner who survived first botched attempt
5 months, 1 week ago

Idaho says it will try again to execute prisoner who survived first botched attempt

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Idaho plans to execute …

Will Idaho go ahead with one of the rarest and most horrible executions?
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Will Idaho go ahead with one of the rarest and most horrible executions?

Slate  

The state of Idaho tried to kill Thomas Creech once. Prosecutor Dayton Reed responded that it would not be cruel and usual punishment if the state were to attempt a second execution, because “there is no evidence that the first execution was malicious or intentionally painful.” Reed contended, “Creech is not entitled to a painless execution, only one that is …

What is death row future of serial killer Thomas Creech after botched execution
1 year ago

What is death row future of serial killer Thomas Creech after botched execution

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Officials with the Idaho …

Execution of serial killer by lethal injection halted in Idaho. Here’s why
1 year, 1 month ago

Execution of serial killer by lethal injection halted in Idaho. Here’s why

Hindustan Times  

The execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech, scheduled to take place on February 28, was halted. The warden at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution took this decision after the medical team failed to establish an intravenous line to carry out the lethal injection. He was taken to the execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution on a gurney …

Things to know about Idaho’s botched execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech
1 year, 1 month ago

Things to know about Idaho’s botched execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech

Associated Press  

KUNA, Idaho — For nearly an hour, Thomas Eugene Creech lay strapped to a table in an Idaho execution chamber as medical team members poked and prodded at his arms and legs, hands and feet, trying to find a vein through which they could end his life. Creech’s death warrant, issued by Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott, said his …

US State halts serial killer's execution after failed attempts to find vein for lethal injection
1 year, 1 month ago

US State halts serial killer's execution after failed attempts to find vein for lethal injection

Deccan Chronicle  

Idaho halted the execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech on Wednesday after medical team members repeatedly failed to find a vein where they could establish an intravenous line to carry out the lethal injection.Creech, 73, has been in prison half a century, convicted of five murders in three states and suspected of several more. He was already serving a …

Idaho halts Thomas Creech execution after botching lethal injection
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho halts Thomas Creech execution after botching lethal injection

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The execution of Thomas …

Idaho's Longest-Serving Death Row Prisoner's Execution Is Delayed After Failed Attempt
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho's Longest-Serving Death Row Prisoner's Execution Is Delayed After Failed Attempt

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The longest-serving man on Idaho’s death row, Thomas Creech, evaded execution on Wednesday because executioners were unable to establish an IV for the lethal injection procedure, according to the Idaho Department of Corrections. “Given the badly botched execution attempt this morning, which proves IDOC’s inability to carry out a humane and constitutional execution, undersigned counsel preemptively seek …

Idaho halts execution by lethal injection after 8 failed attempts to insert IV line
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho halts execution by lethal injection after 8 failed attempts to insert IV line

Associated Press  

KUNA, Idaho — Idaho halted the execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech on Wednesday after medical team members repeatedly failed to find a vein where they could establish an intravenous line to carry out the lethal injection. Creech, one of the longest-serving death row inmates in the U.S., was wheeled into the execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security …

Who is Thomas Eugene Creech? Idaho set to execute serial killer with love for poetry
1 year, 1 month ago

Who is Thomas Eugene Creech? Idaho set to execute serial killer with love for poetry

Hindustan Times  

Idaho is set to execute one of the nation’s longest-serving death row inmates by lethal injection on Wednesday, February 28. This image provided by the Idaho Department of Correction shows Thomas Eugene Creech on Jan. 9, 2009 Creech, a notorious serial killer, is not accused of just the killing of David Jensen, a young, disabled man serving time for car …

Idaho is set to execute a death row inmate after nearly half a century behind bars
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho is set to execute a death row inmate after nearly half a century behind bars

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For nearly 50 years, Idaho's …

Idaho is set to execute a death row inmate after nearly half a century behind bars
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho is set to execute a death row inmate after nearly half a century behind bars

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — For nearly 50 years, Idaho’s prison staffers have been serving Thomas Eugene Creech three meals a day, checking on him during rounds and taking him to medical appointments. Creech’s killing of David Jensen, a young, disabled man who was serving time for car theft, was his last in a broad path of destruction that saw Creech convicted …

Court Denies Delay In Execution Of Death Row Prisoner
1 year, 1 month ago

Court Denies Delay In Execution Of Death Row Prisoner

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING BOISE, Idaho — A U.S. appeals court on Friday declined to delay Idaho’s scheduled execution next week of one of the nation’s longest-serving death row inmates. “This feels like it’s a delay for delay’s sake and it’s a shot in the dark.” The Idaho attorney general’s office opposed Creech’s request for a stay, arguing that Creech could …

US appeals court panel declines to delay execution of one of longest-serving death row inmates
1 year, 1 month ago

US appeals court panel declines to delay execution of one of longest-serving death row inmates

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — A U.S. appeals court panel on Friday declined to delay Idaho’s scheduled execution next week of one of the nation’s longest-serving death row inmates. “This feels like it’s a delay for delay’s sake and it’s a shot in the dark.” The Idaho attorney general’s office opposed Creech’s request for a stay, arguing that Creech could have raised …

Idaho serial killer calls for clemency review weeks before execution
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho serial killer calls for clemency review weeks before execution

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Idaho’s longest-serving death row …

Idaho inmate nearing execution wants a new clemency hearing. The last one was a tie
1 year, 1 month ago

Idaho inmate nearing execution wants a new clemency hearing. The last one was a tie

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho man scheduled to be executed at the end of the month is asking a federal court to put his lethal injection on hold and order a new clemency hearing after the previous one resulted in a tie vote. Brad Little said last week that he has “zero intention of taking any action that would halt …

Execution of Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmate delayed for sentence review hearing
1 year, 5 months ago

Execution of Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmate delayed for sentence review hearing

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — The November execution of a man on Idaho’s death row was delayed on Wednesday because the state’s parole board has granted a hearing to consider changing his sentence to life in prison. An Idaho judge last week issued a death warrant for Thomas Creech, the state’s longest-serving death row inmate. After the death warrant was issued last …

Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmate is scheduled for a November execution by lethal injection
1 year, 5 months ago

Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmate is scheduled for a November execution by lethal injection

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho judge issued a death warrant on Thursday for the state’s longest-serving death row inmate, scheduling his execution for next month. The death warrant was issued by 4th District Judge Jason Scott Thursday afternoon, and the Idaho Department of Correction said Creech would be executed by lethal injection on Nov. 8. Deborah Czuba, with the Federal …

Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger could face execution by firing squad
2 years ago

Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger could face execution by firing squad

Daily Mail  

The 28-year-old grad student accused of stalking and murdering four college kids in Idaho could face a firing squad following the state's decision to pass a bill aimed at reviving the controversial punishment earlier this week. Bryan Kohberger, 28, may face death by firing squad if he is found guilty of murdering four University of Idaho college students Kaylee Goncalves, …

Idaho ordered to execute inmate but state lacks lethal drugs
2 years, 1 month ago

Idaho ordered to execute inmate but state lacks lethal drugs

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho’s attorney general has obtained a court order that requires a terminally ill death row inmate to be executed within 30 days, even though the state has no way to carry out the death sentence. Normally a death warrant also triggers a flurry of preparations by prison officials, but Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt said …

Top Tennessee prison officials fired after report finds ‘shocking’ issues with death penalty drugs
2 years, 2 months ago

Top Tennessee prison officials fired after report finds ‘shocking’ issues with death penalty drugs

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two top Tennessee corrections …

Idaho OKs death warrant for man who killed gold prospectors
2 years, 4 months ago

Idaho OKs death warrant for man who killed gold prospectors

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho authorities issued a death warrant on Wednesday for a terminally ill man who is facing execution for his role in the 1985 slayings of two gold prospectors. The Idaho Department of Correction said it served the warrant to 66-year-old Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. at the department’s Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna in southwestern Idaho. The …

Idaho governor OKs new law to boost execution drug secrecy
3 years ago

Idaho governor OKs new law to boost execution drug secrecy

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a bill that dramatically increases the secrecy surrounding Idaho’s execution drugs. The legislation drew passionate debate from Republican and Democratic opponents who said it would be challenged in court, that executions require more transparency rather than less and that it would reduce public trust in the state’s execution process. …

Idaho committee kills bill expanding execution drug secrecy
3 years ago

Idaho committee kills bill expanding execution drug secrecy

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — A bill that would have increased the secrecy surrounding Idaho’s execution drug suppliers died in a Senate committee hearing Wednesday on a tie vote. Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt said potential drug suppliers want the confidentiality provisions written into state law before they will sell to Idaho’s prison officials. “The understanding has always been, if …

House OKs bill to keep lethal injection drug source secret
3 years, 1 month ago

House OKs bill to keep lethal injection drug source secret

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — The House on Thursday approved legislation that would bar Idaho officials from releasing where they obtain the drugs used in lethal injection executions. The Idaho Department of Correction has long tried to keep details about where and how it obtains lethal injection drugs secret, but the bill from Caldwell Republican Rep. Greg Chaney would make that secrecy …

Judge says Idaho gov can’t veto clemency for condemned man
3 years, 1 month ago

Judge says Idaho gov can’t veto clemency for condemned man

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — A judge says Idaho’s governor doesn’t have the power to veto a clemency recommendation by the state’s parole board for a terminally ill man who was expected to be executed this year. Pizzuto’s attorneys with the Federal Defender Services of Idaho went to court, with attorney Jonah Horwitz arguing last month that while Idaho’s Constitution gives the …

Idaho death row inmate asks Supreme Court to stop execution
3 years, 10 months ago

Idaho death row inmate asks Supreme Court to stop execution

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho man scheduled for execution in three weeks is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the state from moving forward with his lethal injection while it reviews his case. The request is likely a long shot — it’s exceedingly rare for the Supreme Court to agree to consider an “extraordinary writ of habeas corpus” like …

Idaho sets June execution date for Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr.
3 years, 10 months ago

Idaho sets June execution date for Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr.

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho death row inmate Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. has been scheduled for execution by lethal injection on June 2. Pizzuto and another death row inmate, Thomas Eugene Creech, have sued the state over what they say is a lack of information in the Department of Correction’s execution protocol. Pizzuto’s legal team has said that makes it impossible …

US judge rejects inmates’ lawsuit on Idaho execution plans
4 years, 4 months ago

US judge rejects inmates’ lawsuit on Idaho execution plans

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit from two death row inmates seeking more information about Idaho’s execution plans. U.S. District Judge David Nye ruled Tuesday that because Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. and Thomas Eugene Creech both have appeals pending in their criminal cases, there’s no guarantee they’ll ever face execution, meaning they don’t yet have …

Idaho Supreme Court considers lethal injection records case
4 years, 6 months ago

Idaho Supreme Court considers lethal injection records case

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Board of Correction didn’t follow its own public records rules when prison officials refused to turn over some lethal injection records, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho attorney Ritchie Eppink told the Idaho Supreme Court on Monday. Cover, who studies how the public interacts with the death penalty, was seeking records about the lethal injection …

Nebraska court orders disclosure of execution drug records
4 years, 10 months ago

Nebraska court orders disclosure of execution drug records

Associated Press  

— Nebraska prison officials cannot withhold public records that reveal where they purchased their supply of lethal injection drugs, the state’s highest court said Friday in a ruling that could threaten Nebraska’s ability to carry out executions for the dozen men on its death row. Media outlets including The Associated Press, The Omaha World-Herald and The Lincoln Journal Star filed …

Organizations ask Idaho high court to open execution records
5 years ago

Organizations ask Idaho high court to open execution records

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Several news and legal organizations have told the Idaho Supreme Court that they believe state prison officials are required to reveal the source of drugs used in executions under public records law. The American Bar Association, the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Idaho Press Club and others filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of a lawsuit …

Prison department updates execution secrecy rules
5 years, 3 months ago

Prison department updates execution secrecy rules

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho prison officials have changed their administrative rules to ensure secrecy surrounding the source of the state’s lethal injection drugs. Like previous versions, the rule updated earlier this year forbids the Idaho Department of Correction from disclosing “under any circumstance” information that department director Josh Tewalt determines could jeopardize the department’s ability to carry out an execution. …

Idaho judge: Lethal injection drug source is secret for now
6 years, 6 months ago

Idaho judge: Lethal injection drug source is secret for now

Associated Press  

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho judge has modified a previous decision, and now says state prison officials can hold off on identifying where they obtain the drugs used in executions until a trial is held on the matter. Fourth District Judge Lynn Norton ruled in May that the state had to turn over nearly all of its execution records, including …

Judge: Arizona doesn’t have to reveal execution drug sources
7 years, 6 months ago

Judge: Arizona doesn’t have to reveal execution drug sources

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona does not have to reveal who provides its execution drugs, a judge ruled Thursday in a lawsuit arguing that the information would help the public determine whether the death penalty is carried out humanely and promote confidence in the criminal justice system. U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled that the media outlets didn’t show they had a …

Discover Related