The execution of a convicted murderer in Arizona on Wednesday took nearly two hours, confirming concerns that had been raised by his attorneys about a controversial drug used by the state.

Joseph Rudolph Wood III remained alive at Arizona's state prison in Florence long enough for his public defenders to file an emergency motion for a stay of execution with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, after the process began at 1:53 p.m. CST.

 

The motion noted that Wood "has been gasping and snorting for more than an hour" after being injected with a lethal cocktail of drugs.

 

According to Arizona Republic reporter Michael Kiefer, who witnessed the execution, lines were run into each of Wood's arms. After Wood said his last words, he was unconscious by 1:57 p.m. At about 2:05, he started gasping, Kiefer said.

 

"I counted about 660 times he gasped," Kiefer said. "That petered out by 3:33. The death was called at 3:49," Kiefer said.

 

Another reporter who witnessed the execution, Troy Hayden, said it was "very disturbing to watch ... like a fish on shore gulping for air."

Typically, executions by lethal injection take about 10 minutes.

 

 

Inmate's execution takes nearly 2 hours

Some were appalled at this & the Governor has ordered a full review of the process (whatever that means).

 

The family members of the convicted murderer were not bothered.

 

What say you?

Saw a little of this story this morning. The daughter/sister of the victims didn't have much empathy, as you'd expect.

I have zero sympathy. I hope it was the most painful 2 hours of his life.

I don't know the politics of this case but if we are going to execute people it needs to be real quick.

 

I don't now the case law either but I think this is going to cost Arizona some jack.

I don't know the politics of this case but if we are going to execute people it needs to be real quick.

 

I don't now the case law either but I think this is going to cost Arizona some jack.

I think it should last at least as long as the victims they killed suffered.

This can't happen.

 

Regardless of your position on capital punishment, you can't allow something like this.

This can't happen.

 

Regardless of your position on capital punishment, you can't allow something like this.

 

Agree

Unless the investigation can prove it happened on purpose the only real outcome will be to gather evidence to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I think it should last at least as long as the victims they killed suffered.

 

The law says otherwise.

Unless the investigation can prove it happened on purpose the only real outcome will be to gather evidence to make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

CYA mission.

The law says otherwise.

 

Doesn't the law say something about murder?

This can't happen.

 

Regardless of your position on capital punishment, you can't allow something like this.

 

Agreed no place for cruel and unusual punishment. But if it was a freak accident what can be done .

CYA mission.

 

Is that the official term lol.

Agreed no place for cruel and unusual punishment. But if it was a freak accident what can be done .

 

The fact that they had objections before hand about the "cocktail" leads me to believe this isn't a freak accident. Not saying it was done purposely, but maybe the drugs need to be further researched and tested before they're used again?