Unused dose of drugs to be tested

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY

Samples of the same drugs used in a botched execution that was stopped after the inmate convulsed and tried to lift his head will be tested as part of an investigation into his death, a probe that could result in Oklahoma executions being halted for months, officials said Friday.

Oklahoma’s attorney general’s office said the Department of Corrections saved syringes of the lethal drugs set aside for a second execution that had been set to follow Clayton Lockett’s. The second execution was put on hold for at least two weeks after Lockett’s went awry Tuesday night.

President Barack Obama on Friday called the incident “deeply troubling” and said he’s asked his attorney general for a review of the death penalty’s application.

Lockett died 43 minutes after his execution began of an apparent heart attack as Oklahoma used a new drug combination for the first time in the state.

Officials said Friday the autopsy report on Lockett will take two to three months to complete. Department of Public Safety spokesman Capt. George Brown said the autopsy, being performed in Dallas, is expected to be finished in eight to 12 weeks. Lockett’s body arrived in Dallas about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

Gov. Mary Fallin had called on Wednesday for an investigation of Lockett’s execution to be conducted by the state’s Department of Public Safety. She has issued a stay until May 13 for Warner’s execution, but said Thursday she was willing to issue a 60-day stay for Warner, the longest allowed under state law, if needed to complete the inquiry.

If 60 days is not adequate, Oklahoma’s attorney general has said he would request an additional stay from the courts to ensure no executions are carried out until the review is complete.