A letter that contains a timeline of events related to the execution Tuesday of Clayton Lockett to Gov. Mary Fallin from Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton reveals previously unknown details about the events of that day, the governor said Thursday.
Patton sent the letter to Fallin two days after he halted the execution of Lockett when the inmate’s “blood vein had collapsed,” according to the letter.
“I appreciate Director Patton taking the time to give clarity to the circumstances that began early that morning when the Department of Corrections started following their protocols for the execution method itself, giving us more information that the public, frankly, didn’t know and that I didn’t know during that time,” Fallin said.
A review of the Department of Corrections’ execution protocols and the problems in conducting Clayton Lockett’s execution will be made public, Alex Weintz, spokesman for Fallin, said in response Thursday to a question from eCapitol.
“The review will be made public. However, things such as the attending physician's name and the source of the drugs will remain confidential, per statute," Weintz says.
Fallin announced Wednesday she had directed Mike Thompson, who serves as her Secretary of Safety and Security and as Department of Public Safety Commissioner, to lead the review of the problems in Lockett’s execution, in particular, and of the department’s protocols, in general.
The governor did not indicate during the announcement whether the review and its recommendations would be made public or withheld. She also did not take questions following the announcement.
The statute says:
The identity of all persons who participate in or administer the execution process and persons who supply the drugs, medical supplies or medical equipment for the execution shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery in any civil or criminal proceedings.
The statute was one of the issues raised by Lockett and Charles Warner, whose execution has been stayed until at least May 13, in appeals before state district and appellant courts.
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