Serial killer's execution delayed due to failed execution attempt.

Just one week before his scheduled execution, Idaho serial killer Thomas Creech was granted a stay of execution by a federal judge. This comes after he survived a botched execution earlier this year. According to court documents, Creech, who is 74 years old, was given a lethal injection in February but the authorities were unable to establish an IV line in various parts of his body.

His attorneys argued that it would be cruel and unconstitutional to carry out another death sentence after the mishap earlier this year. They also claimed that it would violate the principle of double jeopardy. In a petition filed last month, they stated that Creech had been left traumatized by the eight attempts made by the execution team to start the IV line.

In response to this, Judge G Murray Snow granted Creech a reprieve on Wednesday. The decision came just one week before his scheduled execution, as the Idaho Supreme Court had denied his claims. The US District Court for the District of Idaho needed more time to assess Creech's other appeal, which is why the judge granted him a stay of execution.

Creech's attorney declined to comment when reached by CNN on Saturday. According to court documents, Creech is now required to file a supplemental brief by Friday, and his case will continue.

Creech has been on death row for the longest time in Idaho. He was sentenced to death in 1982 after pleading guilty to the murder of another inmate, David Dale Jensen, while serving four life sentences. The Ada County Prosecutor's Office described Creech as a serial killer who has admitted to killing upwards of 40 people.

In February, Creech's execution was deemed unable to proceed by Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt. According to a news release at the time, authorities spent almost an hour trying to establish IV access in Creech's body, but each attempt resulted in vein collapse. Tewalt stated that the team attempted eight times through multiple limbs and appendages, but were unable to establish IV access consistent with the department's policy.

Tewalt explained that sometimes, the team encountered an access issue, while other times, they were able to establish access but encountered a vein quality issue. This made them uncertain about their ability to administer chemicals through the IV site, leading to the decision to halt the execution.

Executions are rare in Idaho, with only three being carried out since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Due to the stay granted by the judge, preparations for Creech's second execution have been suspended and the current death warrant will expire on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Idaho Department of Correction.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]