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Corrections Director Releases Timeline of Clayton Lockett's Execution

Oklahoma’s director of corrections released today a full timeline of Clayton Lockett’s failed execution, filling in the missing details from when the screens went down during the execution to when Lockett died.

Director Robert Patton's report said Lockett was tased earlier in the day for refusing to be restrained and was treated for a self-inflicted cut on his right arm. He also refused food and visits with his attorneys.

It also turns out the IV was not in Lockett's arm. A phlebotomist spent 53 minutes in the execution chamber, eventually inserting the IV into a vein in Lockett’s groin after finding his arms, legs, feet and neck unsuitable. That explains why the 6 o’clock execution began 23 minutes late.

Shortly after the screens were lowered at 6:39 p.m., a phone in the viewing area rang, and Patton took the call from the warden in the hallway. 

According to his report, the vein in Lockett’s groin the IV was placed in had collapsed and the drugs were being absorbed into tissue or leaking out.

Patton asked the doctor if enough drugs had been administered to cause death. No.

Is another vein available and are there enough drugs remaining? No and no.

Patton asked again if a lethal dose had been administered. No.

At this point Lockett was unconscious and had a faint heartbeat. Patton re-entered the viewing area at 6:56 p.m. to announce the execution had been stopped, and 10 minutes later, the doctor pronounced Lockett dead.

Patton’s report on the execution ends with him supporting a review of the state’s protocols and asking for time to train staff before scheduling the next execution.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.