Convicted killer and mass murderer Thomas Creech will be returned to his cell as his execution was unable to proceed Wednesday.
An hour after the scheduled execution time, at 11 a.m., the medical team confirmed they were not able to establish an IV line and the execution was unable to proceed.
Creech will be returned to his cell as his death warrant expires.
The state is considering next steps as Thomas Creech narrowly avoids his execution.
In a statement released by Creech's defense, the Federal Defender Services of Idaho criticized the procedure claiming the state botched the execution after attempting 10 times to access Creech's veins in both his arms and his legs. In their statement, FDSI said "Yesterday, the State called Mr. Creech’s worries 'patently absurd' in its motions to the U.S. Supreme Court. Unfortunately, what is absurd is Idaho’s continuing efforts to kill this harmless old man, who by this point surely has suffered enough."
Before medical teams tried placing the IV line, witnesses were briefed on the execution process and were escorted to the chamber viewing area.
The state and media witnesses to the execution are:
State Witnesses:
- Raul Labrador, Attorney General
- Jan Bennetts, Ada County Prosecutor
- Matt Clifford, Ada County Sheriff
- Dodds Hayden, Board of Correction
- Jared Larsen, Governor’s Office
- Phil Skinner, AG Chief of Staff
Media Witnesses:
- Roland Beres, KIVI
- Brenda Rodriguez, KTVB
- Rebecca Boone, Associated Press
- Scott McIntosh, Idaho Statesman
Execution protesters were seen outside the statehouse ahead of Creech's execution.
RELATED | One last effort: Protesters deliver petition to stop Creech's execution
Less than two hours before Creech's execution, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block his execution from being stopped or delayed.
In preparation for today's execution, Creech visited with his wife and his religious advisor throughout the evening and into the morning.
For his last meal, Creech had fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, dinner rolls, and ice cream.
