BOISE, Idaho — On Wednesday, Feb. 28, the State of Idaho intended to execute its longest-serving death-row inmate Thomas Creech by lethal injection. However, after eight attempts the medical team was unable to establish a viable vein to insert an IV line, and the execution was called off.
Ahead of carrying out an execution by lethal injection, the state needed to obtain lethal injection chemicals. So, what drug did they purchase? And how much did the unsuccessful execution end up costing the state and taxpayers?
7 Investigates received public records from the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) showing the state bought the drug, pentobarbital, in 2023 in preparation of Creech's execution.
The National Center for Bio-Technology Information states the drug is a barbiturate, which affects the central nervous system. In smaller doses it's a short-acting sedative. Veterinarians typically use it as an anesthetic on animals or to terminate the animal's life. It has also been used in states where physician-assisted death is legal and, in this case, for capital punishment.
Records show the state purchased 15 grams of pentobarbital, costing $50,000. But two-thirds of the pentobarbital is now unusable after syringes were prepared for Creech's execution. Therefore, the failed execution cost Idaho taxpayers about $33,000. The remaining dose will expire in February 2025.
IDOC records show the state has four options for lethal injection, and each method used depends on the availability of chemicals. Two of the methods use pentobarbital.
Methods 1 and 2 require saline flushes between chemicals to make sure the IV line is working correctly. Methods 3 and 4 include a saline flush at the end of the injections. IDOC states each method requires backup plans.
The state chose Method 4, using only pentobarbital, in Creech's execution. The state had a primary set of syringes that included five grams of the drug and saline flush. Two backup sets of syringes included the same amount of pentobarbital and saline flush in each set.
The Idaho Department of Correction has not disclosed where or when exactly they purchased the drugs for Creech's execution. They are shielded from doing so under Idaho law. Creech's attorneys have pressed the department's director over whether the pentobarbital was obtained from an overseas or veterinary source, but the department will not disclose that information.
With the execution being halted and Creech's death warrant expired, it is unclear what is next for Idaho's longest-serving death row inmate. The state would have to ask for a new death warrant since the last one expired at midnight of the day the execution.
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