Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Ohio will provide a wedge-shaped pillow to help a condemned inmate breathe as he’s being executed this week.
Death-row prisoner Alva Campbell, who has said he is too ill for lethal injection, became mildly agitated when officials tried lowering him to a normal execution position, according to a review by a physician contractor for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Dr. James McWeeney noted there were no objective findings such as increased pulse rate or breathing to corroborate Campbell’s anxiety. Nevertheless, he recommended allowing Campbell to lie “in a semi-recumbent position” during the execution.
Campbell, 69, has severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder as the result of a decadeslong two-pack-a-day smoking habit, the doctor said.
Prosecutors say his health claims are ironic given he faked paralysis to escape court custody the day he killed a teenager during a carjacking.
Gov. John Kasich rejected mercy for Campbell last week.