Washington, DC (April 30, 2014) – It is reported that last night Oklahoma death row inmate Clayton Lockett died of an apparent heart attack some 43 minutes following the State of Oklahoma administering its first injection, and after Lockett's vein "exploded" and observers reported he remained conscious and even attempted to speak. This grotesque spectacle prompted Oklahoma authorities to suspend a second planned execution last night. It should prompt all U.S. jurisdictions that have yet to end the death penalty to do so, immediately and permanently.
NACDL President Jerry J. Cox said: "NACDL unequivocally opposes the death penalty on numerous grounds, but this latest installment in a long series of botched executions should shock the conscience of all Americans, including those who have to this point supported what is, at its core, a barbaric and medieval practice. The death penalty is a stain on the honor of this great nation. And it must stop. Now."
Contacts
Isaac Kramer, Public Affairs and Communications Assistant, (202) 465-7656 or ikramer@nacdl.org.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.