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

Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmate, Thomas Creech, evaded executionon Wednesday because executioners were unable to establish an IV for the lethal injection procedure, according to the Idaho Department of Corrections.

His attorneys, advocates, the judge who sentenced him to death and the attorney who prosecuted him have all called for his life to be spared.

The 73-year-old had been sentenced to death twice: once after being convicted in the killing of two people in Valley County in 1974, and again in 1981, while serving out his sentence, when he was convicted of the killing of his cellmate. He has been convicted of five murders in all.

After multiple courts denied numerous appeals from his attorneys asking for mercy, Creech was set to be killed by lethal injection Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time.

According to witnesses’ accounts of the execution that was livestreamed by local outlet KXLY, Creech appeared to go in and out of consciousness. There were three medical staff — two assistants and one lead — orchestrating the execution, in which there were at least eight failed attempts to insert the IV in his arms and legs, witnesses said. At one point, one of the executioners stepped out of the room to get additional medical supplies.

Witnesses added that he appeared to mouth the words “I love you” to his wife, as well as “I’m sorry.”

“His eyes were glued to his family. He was strapped to the gurney, and he just kept his eyes on his family,” KTVB’s Brenda Rodriguez said after the failed execution attempt.

“Every time an IV was inserted there were noticeable snoring noises and visible shaking. It didn’t seem like he was in pain though,” Rodriguez continued.

“Mr. Creech will be returned to his cell and witnesses will