Administration of the lethal chemicals:
Both executioners reported that they had received adequate training and have participated in prior executions.
After confirmation by the Governor’s Office that there were no last-minute legal stays, the Warden signaled to the executioners that they were to proceed.
As directed in the Lethal Injection Procedure, the primary executioner began the delivery of
from Stand “A” into line “A” (left arm.)
The primary executioner noted that the pushing of the chemicals was more difficult and took two to three times longer than normal.
Both executioners had been advised to push slowly because of concerns over the inmate’s veins.
After dispensing the first two syringes of sodium pentothal, the saline flush, and the first half of the first syringe of pancuronium bromide, the executioner advised the assisting member of the execution team that he could no longer push the syringe.
A decision was made by the execution team to switch to line “B” (right arm.)
The remainder of the chemicals in Stand “A” was dispensed in proper sequence into line “B.”
With the administration of the potassium chloride, there was no corresponding decline in heart rate.
As directed in the Lethal Injection Procedure, the primary executioner began the flow of lethal chemicals from Stand “B.”
The primary executioner started with the sodium pentothal from Stand “B” into line “B.”
During this administration, with guidance from the assisting execution team members, the secondary executioner started with a saline flush from Stand “B” into line “A” and then administered the syringes of potassium chloride from Stand “B” into line “A.”
The primary executioner continued with the sequential flow of lethal chemicals and completed the pushing of the first syringe of pancuronium bromide from Stand “B.”
At that point, the heart monitors evidenced that the heart had begun to cease functioning.
The executioners stopped the administration of lethal chemicals and waited for the cessation of cardiac activity.
The execution members did a physical check to ensure that the inmate had expired.
Pronouncement was then made.
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1 comment:
"Both executioners had been advised to push slowly because of concerns over the inmate’s veins."
Remember that line. It will be contradicted subsequently, in the very same report.
Furthermore, there is nothing in the lethal injection protocol which indicates that chemicals from stand A may be injected into stand B or vice versa.
After dispensing the sodium pentothal, they knew that something was wrong, and decided to proceed regardless. It took longer (up to 3 times) to administer the drugs, which should have been a concern, given the short-acting nature of the sodium pentothal.
A switch was made from line A to line B, after it was noted that the administration of chemicals took longer than normal for line A. They then noted no effect of the chemicals injected into line B, and decided to revert to line A.... What? On whose advice, exactly? They just assumed that whatever was the problem with line A might have somehow magically fixed itself?
Unbelievable!
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