Update on execution timeline of Thomas Creech

KUNA, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT)

11:25 UPDATE:

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. Director Tewalt and State witnesses, to include the media, will be arriving in the media center shortly for a brief press conference.

11AM UPDATE:

At 10 O’clock this morning, all witnesses to the execution of Idaho death row inmate 73-year-old Thomas Creech at Idaho’s Maximum-Security Institution were briefed on the process and provided with a rough timeline of the proceedings.

Creech, who has been the nation’s longest-serving death row inmate was sentenced to death by Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Robert Newhouse in 1983, for the beating to death of fellow inmate David Jensen in 1981.

Earlier this morning, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Elana Kagan denied Creech’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the appeal of the decision to deny commutation by the Idaho Commission of Pardon’s and Parole.

The names of the state and media witnesses are below.

State witnesses:

Jan Bennetts, Ada County Prosecutor
Dodds Hayden, Board of Correction
Jared Larsen, Governor’s office
Matt Clifford, Ada County Sheriff
Raul Labrador, Attorney General
Phil Skinner, AG Chief of Staff

Media witnesses:

Brenda Rodriguez, KTVB
Rebecca Boone, Associated Press
Roland Beres, KIVI
Scott McIntosh, Idaho Statesman

Roughly 30 individuals are in front of the prison gates in protest of the execution. A large area was cordoned off on Monday to allow room for demonstrators for the execution as the IDOC recognizes the need to allow for the exercise of the First Amendment right to free speech.

According to the Idaho Department of Corrections, Creech visited with his wife throughout the evening on Tuesday, Additionally, his religious advisor spent an hour with him this morning. Creech had fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn, rolls and ice cream for his last meal.

The IDOC reports that the 73-year-old has remained cooperative in the days leading up to the execution.

There will be a media briefing at 11:30 a.m.