Once the problem became apparent, Patton halted the execution. Lockett died 43 minutes after the execution started, and an autopsy was under way.
“I intend to explore best practices from other states and ensure the Oklahoma protocol adopts proven standards,” Patton said in his report.
Patton said in the report that medical officials examined Lockett’s arms, legs, feet and neck for veins, but no viable entry point was located. After that, a lethal injection insertion point was used in Lockett’s groin area.
“As the Oklahoma Department of Corrections dribbles out piecemeal information about Clayton Lockett’s botched execution, they have revealed that Mr. Lockett was killed using an invasive and painful method – an IV line in his groin,” said Madeline Cohen, a lawyer who fought to halt the execution of another Oklahoma death row inmate.