Report Answers Questions Regarding Oklahoma Inmate's Execution

The state revealed new details about Clayton Lockett's death kept hidden from those witnessing his execution in April.

News On 6 reporter Tess Maune was on the other side of the glass when Lockett was put to death and said of the alarming things coming out from the investigation, the most surprising was the lack of a backup plan.

The report answers the question she's had for months - what happened after the prison lowered the blinds blocking the witnesses' view?

9/4/2014 Related Story: DPS Gives Suggestions To Improve Oklahoma's Execution Process

“For almost 25 years, 110 consecutive times, it worked,” said DPS Commissioner, Michael Thompson.

No report was needed to determine Clayton Lockett's execution in April did not go as planned, but the investigation by the Department of Public Safety uncovers why it may have gone wrong.

The report reveals the Department of Corrections had very few training requirements. It says the executioner only received formal training from a paramedic on the day of the execution, a process both the warden and DOC director call inadequate.

“Training's a big part of what we think can help make this a more efficient process,” said Thompson.

An autopsy showed the three-drug cocktail killed Lockett, not a heart attack as originally thought, but it took 40-plus minutes to do a job that normally takes less than half that time.

The I.V. was placed near Lockett's groin after a doctor tried and failed multiple times to find a viable vein.

Lockett's body was covered with a sheet, so you couldn't see the I.V., but you could see some of the drugs' effects.

Well after Lockett was declared unconscious he clinched his teeth and squirmed, tried to push his body off the gurney and even muttered some words.

“After some point, it was obvious there was something going on and when the sheet was uncovered, that's when it was discovered he had the large presence in the tissue,” Thompson said.

That's when the blinds closed, which, according to investigators was done to protect the identity of those in the execution room; but, with no emergency plan in place, no one knew what to do.

9/4/2014 Related Story: DPS Report On Clayton Lockett Execution Finds Problems With Process

There was talk about trying to save Lockett's life, send him to an emergency room, or use the drugs from another execution planned for that night, but Lockett was dead before a decision could be made.

The report lists more than a dozen recommended changes, including scheduling no more than one execution per week.

The next execution is planned for November. Charles Warner was scheduled to die the same night as Lockett, but his execution, and all others, have been on hold ever since.