Death row execution abandoned with inmate strapped to medical table after officials 'unable' to give lethal injection

Death row execution abandoned with inmate strapped to medical table after officials ‘unable’ to give lethal injection

Feb 28, 2024

The execution of one of the longest-serving death row inmates has been called off after prison officials were unable to deliver his lethal injection.

Thomas Eugene Creech, who has been convicted of five murders and is suspected of several more, was due to be executed at 10am local time (5pm UK time) in a maximum-security Idaho prison.

But the execution was abandoned at 10.58am after prison officials were unable to establish an IV.

His death warrant will now expire.

The Idaho Department of Corrections said in a statement: “At approximately 11am, Director Tewalt, after consulting with the medical team leader, determined that the medical team could not establish an IV line, rendering the execution unable to proceed.

“Mr Creech will be returned to his cell and witnesses will be escorted out of the facility. As a result, the death warrant will expire. The State will consider next steps.”

It came after it appeared the 73-year-old’s final chance at a last-minute reprieve was denied by the Supreme Court, despite claims his execution should be delayed so a court could weigh his claim prosecutors lied.

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A flurry of late appeals against the execution had previously been dismissed by judges in four courts.

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