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Execution postponed after the wrong lethal injection drug was sent to prison

Richard Glossip claims he’s innocent.

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR MARY Fallin postponed at the last minute the execution of an inmate who claims he’s innocent, after prison officials said one of the three drugs they had received to carry out the lethal injection didn’t match state guidelines.

The state Department of Corrections reached out immediately to the attorney general’s office once prison officials realized they received the wrong drug for use in Richard Glossip’s execution, according to Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz. Oklahoma’s protocols call for the use of potassium chloride, but the state received potassium acetate instead.

Weintz said the department receives its lethal injection drugs on the day of an execution.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s office advised Fallin and prison officials that the state’s lethal injection guidelines, which had been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, had to be followed, said Pruitt spokesman Aaron Cooper.

Richard Glossip Richard Glossip Apexchange Apexchange

“It is unclear why, and extremely frustrating to the attorney general, that the Department of Corrections did not have the correct drugs to carry out the execution,” Cooper said.

Fallin reset Glossip’s execution for November 6, saying it would give the state enough time to determine whether potassium acetate is a suitable substitute, or to find a supply of potassium chloride.

“That’s just crazy,” Glossip said when told of the drug mix-up. “Nobody has really told me anything.”

Dale Baich, an attorney for Glossip, said he was informed in a letter from the attorney general’s office last month that the Department of Corrections had already obtained the potassium chloride and other drugs needed for the execution.

Hours before Glossip was scheduled to be executed September 16 for ordering the 1997 killing of Barry Van Treese, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals granted a rare two-week reprieve to review his claims of new evidence, including another inmate’s assertion that he overheard Justin Sneed admit to framing Glossip.

Glossip has long claimed he was framed by Sneed, a motel handyman who admitted to fatally beating Van Treese with a baseball bat, but said he did so only after Glossip promised him $10,000. Sneed, who is serving a life sentence, was the state’s key witness against Glossip in two separate trials.

Read: This man’s execution has been put on hold at the last minute as new evidence emerges

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21 Comments
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    Mute Chett Richards
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    Jun 21st 2023, 5:46 PM

    Unthinkable situation to be in. Hope they’re saved!

    140
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    Mute Keith Lenihan
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    Jun 21st 2023, 5:49 PM

    We’ve come to the point where it’s acceptable to count down possibly peoples last hours. How did we get to this level of voyeurism?

    97
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    Mute Chett Richards
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    Jun 21st 2023, 5:52 PM

    @Keith Lenihan: Sadly, true. There are people out there joking about this situation. Namely on those toxic Social Media Apps. Deplorable.

    71
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    Mute mixterz
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    Jun 21st 2023, 5:57 PM

    @Chett Richards: They’ll be in jail soon. Then you will be in a safe place.

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    Mute Chett Richards
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    Jun 21st 2023, 5:59 PM

    @mixterz: Who will be in jail??

    15
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:37 PM

    @Keith Lenihan: I’m genuinely surprised there isn’t a live countdown timer to when they run out of oxygen

    14
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    Mute Kenmark
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:05 PM

    It’s a very difficult time for all concerned, particularly the families and the unfortunate passengers on board. I do hope for a miracle and that all will be reunited.

    Above said, we need to leave the Titanic and her lost souls alone to rest. Money/greed and an insatiable appetite to interfere with a final resting place has come back to bite 5 unfortunate people in that sub.

    Leave well enough alone!

    78
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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:11 PM

    @Kenmark: People died on Titanic. People died in the Coliseum. Can both be tourist attractions?

    29
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    Mute Johnny Angler
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:02 PM

    Unfortunately their survival chances are zero at this stage, even if they are discovered now. The time taken to get a vessel capable of lifting them to the surface, along with the slow ascend to the surface to allow their bodies to adjust to surface pressure will take more time than the available oxygen. I really hope I’m proven wrong.

    56
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    Mute Roj Blake
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:10 PM

    @Johnny Angler: the vessel is kept at 1 atmosphere, so there is no need to decompression

    59
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    Mute Brian
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:00 PM

    @Chett Richards: You’re right about that. Social media is an absolute sewer. It amazes me how low people can sink these days.

    56
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    Mute Chett Richards
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:34 PM

    @Brian: I like to think I have a very agreeable opinion Brian. One based on logic and critical thinking rather than blind emotions.

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    Mute Brian MacCarthaigh
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    Jun 21st 2023, 7:43 PM

    @Brian: 3000 meters apparently : (

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    Mute Eddie Garvey
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:09 PM

    This is tasteless to be posting headlines like this to gain readership on the back of what’s happened to those poor people. We know they are in a dire situation or worse, it’s been reported here already, thanks for informing us, please stop this “countdown to people’s death” voyeurism as already commented on for no other purpose but to get readers and generate advertising revenue, it’s frankly disgusting. If there is more news or a genuine need for an article on the topic that’s journalism, this isn’t that.

    46
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    Mute JamRag
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:14 PM

    Way more money than sense

    17
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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:42 PM

    @JamRag: You know them personally you do? So anyone that’s ever died adventuring or exploring has been lacking sense have they? Educate yourself about the people in that sub and have a bit of respect.

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    Mute offside again
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    Jun 21st 2023, 10:07 PM

    It’s a dreadful situation. Reality is boats sink and people drown. What seems to be the case here; is that the boat was not suitable.
    If they ever got to see the Titanic ; well … that must make for some moments of reflection if they’re still alive. No disrespect intended

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    Mute Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh)
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    Jun 21st 2023, 9:46 PM

    The sea should be respected for the powerful force it is. Every now and again, she likes to remind those with no respect. Again I say, leave the dead to rest, leave Titanic alone. Those 5 people are now learning the hard way. I’m sorry, but greed begets greed begets karma

    16
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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jun 21st 2023, 10:07 PM

    @Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh): Era for flip sake! Is everyone meant to just stop living and being adventurous now? It was an accident. If we lived by that nonsense the world would be dreadfully boring! Nobody would take risks to invent, explore, adventure and look to the future. Just put it down as an accident and get a grip.

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    Mute Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh)
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    Jun 22nd 2023, 12:13 AM

    @Barry Lehane: I don’t feel that way. I feel the arrogance of human nature, thinking it can override mother nature is a big mistake, as has been proven by many deaths over the centuries of your version of exploration and adventure.

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    Mute david finglas
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    Jun 21st 2023, 8:13 PM

    This is what happens when you’ve more money than sense ,,

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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jun 21st 2023, 9:29 PM

    @david finglas: Wow. You’re only the 700th person on here to say that senseless comment. Well done.

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    Mute david finglas
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    Jun 21st 2023, 6:56 PM

    Hope one of them brought a spliff might as well go out on a high

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    Mute smatrix mantra
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    Jun 22nd 2023, 4:47 PM

    If they’d produce “SOS” in Morse code I’d agree there is still a chance. And I’d think this to be the standard beacon to use also in subs. But producing just “banging”, I’m not so sure.

    2
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