The Texas medical examiner charged with conducting an independent autopsy of the body of Clayton Lockett ruled in June he died as a result of “judicial execution by lethal injection.” The report said all three execution drugs were found throughout Lockett's system.
The autopsy and a series of related documents were released Thursday by the Department of Public Safety.
Commissioner Mike Thompson was ordered by Gov. Mary Fallin to conduct an investigation into Lockett’s execution.
Lockett’s was the first to two executions scheduled April 29 but the second was canceled when his went awry.
According to witnesses at the execution, Lockett mumbled, writhed and attempted to raise himself from the table to which he was strapped before the execution was stopped by Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton. Lockett was poked several times as medical technicians tried to find a vein before settling in using one at his groin.
“Our investigative team has concluded well over 100 interviews, collected evidence, reviewed reports and upon receipt of the autopsy report, will move into the final phase of completing a summary report of the findings. Investigators are currently finalizing recommendations in order to satisfy the requirements of (Fallin’s executive order),” Thompson said in a press release Thursday.
The press conference to discuss the findings is planned for next week, according to the release.
