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We may never know who witnessed Clayton Lockett's execution We may never know who witnessed Clayton Lockett's execution
(35 minutes later)
Thirty-six people witnessed Oklahoma’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett, but we may never know who all of them are, or the qualifications they had to be involved in the procedure. Thirty-six people witnessed Oklahoma’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett, but we may never know the identities of all of them, nor what qualified them to be involved in the procedure.
The state public safety department on Thursday released its report on the execution, which found that failures in medical training and execution procedures contributed to the delay in Lockett’s death. The report offers a detailed account of the minutes surrounding the lethal injection, including a doctor and paramedics searching for a vein to use before eventually administering the lethal drugs near his groin.The state public safety department on Thursday released its report on the execution, which found that failures in medical training and execution procedures contributed to the delay in Lockett’s death. The report offers a detailed account of the minutes surrounding the lethal injection, including a doctor and paramedics searching for a vein to use before eventually administering the lethal drugs near his groin.
The report was based on eyewitness testimony. It does not identify those witnesses.The report was based on eyewitness testimony. It does not identify those witnesses.
Richard Dieter, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Centre, criticised the secrecy of the investigation and the execution on Thursday.Richard Dieter, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Centre, criticised the secrecy of the investigation and the execution on Thursday.
“Sign off on what you’re doing – or don’t do it,” he said. “Doing it under secrecy is unprofessional, and leaves this report somewhat short of being complete.”“Sign off on what you’re doing – or don’t do it,” he said. “Doing it under secrecy is unprofessional, and leaves this report somewhat short of being complete.”
The report says the witnesses and staff involved in the execution were divided among three rooms: the execution chamber with Lockett, a separate executioners’ room, and a viewing room. Here is a list of who we know was in each, according to the report issued by Oklahoma on Thursday.The report says the witnesses and staff involved in the execution were divided among three rooms: the execution chamber with Lockett, a separate executioners’ room, and a viewing room. Here is a list of who we know was in each, according to the report issued by Oklahoma on Thursday.
The execution chamber, where Lockett diedThe execution chamber, where Lockett died
The physician: This physician supervised and helped place an intravenous needle, erroneously, into what he or she believed was a vein near Lockett’s groin. However, the needle didn’t find a vein and execution drugs were instead absorbed into Lockett’s tissues. The doctor’s credentials cannot be confirmed, because his or her name is secret. Oklahoma state law bars medical ethics boards from sanctioning doctors involved in executions.The physician: This physician supervised and helped place an intravenous needle, erroneously, into what he or she believed was a vein near Lockett’s groin. However, the needle didn’t find a vein and execution drugs were instead absorbed into Lockett’s tissues. The doctor’s credentials cannot be confirmed, because his or her name is secret. Oklahoma state law bars medical ethics boards from sanctioning doctors involved in executions.
There is some conflicting information about the doctor’s role, as described in the report. Although the report says the physician and paramedic “attempted IV placement access in multiple locations”, the report later states that the physician’s responsibility was to “assess Lockett” to determine if he was unconscious and later pronounce death. This was the physician’s second execution.There is some conflicting information about the doctor’s role, as described in the report. Although the report says the physician and paramedic “attempted IV placement access in multiple locations”, the report later states that the physician’s responsibility was to “assess Lockett” to determine if he was unconscious and later pronounce death. This was the physician’s second execution.
What we do know is that the physician graduated medical school “over 15 years ago”, works in an emergency room and is certified in family medicine.What we do know is that the physician graduated medical school “over 15 years ago”, works in an emergency room and is certified in family medicine.
Warden Anita Trammell: The warden of Oklahoma state penitentiary ordered the execution to proceed after receiving approval from the governor’s office, and ordered it to continue 10 minutes after it started. She also ordered the blinds be closed between the execution chamber and witnesses after it was clear there was a problem in the execution.Warden Anita Trammell: The warden of Oklahoma state penitentiary ordered the execution to proceed after receiving approval from the governor’s office, and ordered it to continue 10 minutes after it started. She also ordered the blinds be closed between the execution chamber and witnesses after it was clear there was a problem in the execution.
Three DOC employees: It’s unknown who these personnel are — they are not identified. They were in the execution chamber as lethal drugs were administered.Three DOC employees: It’s unknown who these personnel are — they are not identified. They were in the execution chamber as lethal drugs were administered.
The executioners’ room, where prison officials witnessed Lockett’s deathThe executioners’ room, where prison officials witnessed Lockett’s death
The paramedic: The name of the paramedic was also withheld. The paramedic was licensed in “emergency medical services” for more than 40 years, and “as a paramedic for over 20 years”.The paramedic: The name of the paramedic was also withheld. The paramedic was licensed in “emergency medical services” for more than 40 years, and “as a paramedic for over 20 years”.
“The paramedic estimated he/she had been involved in every lethal injection execution in Oklahoma, except for two,” the report said. If accurate, that would mean the paramedic participated in 109 executions, including Lockett’s.“The paramedic estimated he/she had been involved in every lethal injection execution in Oklahoma, except for two,” the report said. If accurate, that would mean the paramedic participated in 109 executions, including Lockett’s.
Three executioners: The executioners were not identified, and their role is vague, since the paramedic is identified as inserting the IV with the physician, and then monitoring Lockett’s vital signs.Three executioners: The executioners were not identified, and their role is vague, since the paramedic is identified as inserting the IV with the physician, and then monitoring Lockett’s vital signs.
One DOC employee: The employee is not identified and no describing information is given.One DOC employee: The employee is not identified and no describing information is given.
Witnesses in the viewing areaWitnesses in the viewing area
Department of public safety commissioner: Mike Thompson gave a press conference announcing the results of the investigation on Thursday. He witnessed the execution and told reporters that: “From my vantage point I did see him strain at one point against his restraints. I did see that.”Department of public safety commissioner: Mike Thompson gave a press conference announcing the results of the investigation on Thursday. He witnessed the execution and told reporters that: “From my vantage point I did see him strain at one point against his restraints. I did see that.”
Department of corrections director: Robert Patton gave orders to begin and stop the execution. He later acknowledged that “the training DOC personnel received prior to the execution was inadequate”.Department of corrections director: Robert Patton gave orders to begin and stop the execution. He later acknowledged that “the training DOC personnel received prior to the execution was inadequate”.
Office of attorney general: Tom Bates and John Hadden witnessed the execution as representatives from the state attorney general’s office. They were part of a group, including Patton and Thompson, who left the witness room to discuss whether to stop the execution with the governor’s office.Office of attorney general: Tom Bates and John Hadden witnessed the execution as representatives from the state attorney general’s office. They were part of a group, including Patton and Thompson, who left the witness room to discuss whether to stop the execution with the governor’s office.
Media outlets: The report does not identify how many, or which, media outlets were present to witness Lockett’s execution. From media reports we know there were 11 press representatives, one of whom was Katie Fretland, reporting for the Guardian. Four of the 11 media representatives declined to be interviewed for the report.Media outlets: The report does not identify how many, or which, media outlets were present to witness Lockett’s execution. From media reports we know there were 11 press representatives, one of whom was Katie Fretland, reporting for the Guardian. Four of the 11 media representatives declined to be interviewed for the report.
Lockett’s attorneys: The report also doesn’t identify which attorneys attended. From media reports we know that Lockett’s attorney David Autry and Dean Sanderford witnessed the execution.Lockett’s attorneys: The report also doesn’t identify which attorneys attended. From media reports we know that Lockett’s attorney David Autry and Dean Sanderford witnessed the execution.
Members of the Neiman family: The report doesn’t address which members of 19-year-old murder victim Stephanie Neiman’s family were present. We do know from media reports that Neiman’s parents, Susie and Steve Neiman, made a statement before the execution.Members of the Neiman family: The report doesn’t address which members of 19-year-old murder victim Stephanie Neiman’s family were present. We do know from media reports that Neiman’s parents, Susie and Steve Neiman, made a statement before the execution.
Noble County district attorney: The district attorney is not identified by name in the report, but we do know the current district attorney in Noble County is Brian Hermanson.Noble County district attorney: The district attorney is not identified by name in the report, but we do know the current district attorney in Noble County is Brian Hermanson.
Noble County sheriff’s department: The report does not identify, by name, which officials from the department were present, and only mentioned the sheriff’s department once.Noble County sheriff’s department: The report does not identify, by name, which officials from the department were present, and only mentioned the sheriff’s department once.
Perry police department: This is the local police department where Neiman was killed. The names of officials who witnessed Lockett’s execution were not released.Perry police department: This is the local police department where Neiman was killed. The names of officials who witnessed Lockett’s execution were not released.