By Jason Barry
KPHO
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is calling for a full investigation into what might have gone wrong during Wednesday’s execution of Joseph Wood.
Brewer’s office released this statement:
“I am concerned by the length of time it took for the administered drug protocol to complete the lawful execution of the convicted double murderer, Joseph Wood. While justice was carried out (Wednesday), I directed the Department of Corrections to conduct a full review of the process.”
“One thing is certain, however, inmate Wood died in a lawful manner and by eyewitness and medical accounts he did not suffer. This is in stark comparison to the gruesome, vicious suffering that he inflicted on his two victims and the lifetime of suffering he has caused their family.”
Charles Ryan, director of Arizona’s Dept. of Corrections, spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon.
Here is Ryan’s full statement:
“Immediately upon completion of the execution of inmate Wood, Governor Brewer directed me to conduct a full review of the execution and the protocol. This protocol is on the department website at azcorrections.gov. Accordingly, I ordered that all evidence connected to the execution procedure be collected and preserved for review and investigation. This occurred prior to any court order to do so, and that review is already underway.
“Media reports, some of which were made prior to any information officially being released on the day of the execution, reached the premature and erroneous conclusion that this execution was ‘botched’. This is pure conjecture because there is no medical or forensic evidence to date that supports that conclusion.
“In fact, the evidence gathered thus far supports the opposite. The IV team, which includes a licensed medical doctor, verified multiple times during the procedure that the inmate was comatose and never in pain. The record clearly shows the inmate was fully and deeply sedated beginning at 1:57 p.m. - three minutes after the administration of the execution drugs - until he was declared deceased at 3:49 p.m.
“Additionally, the physical autopsy from the Pima County Medical Examiner was completed this morning. The Medical Examiner reported to the department that in regards to the placement of the IVs, they were ‘perfectly placed’. He further explained to the department that the catheters in each arm were completely within the veins and there was no leakage of any kind, and that anything that was put through the IVs went into the veins. The department is also awaiting the results of the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report.
“Pursuant to the Governor’s instruction, I am committed to a thorough, transparent and comprehensive review process. We will ensure all the facts are gathered and that fact-based conclusions are reached regarding the length of time it took for the execution to be lawfully completed. I have also been advised by the Arizona Attorney General that his office will not seek any warrants of execution prior to the completion of the review of this matter.”
Full story: AZ Dept of Corrections: Not a botched execution