Woman sues US prison over son's 86-minute execution

[almaty 19]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The mother of a US man whose 2006 execution took 86 minutes and involved sticking needles into him 19 times has sued the prison team which oversaw the execution for civil rights violations.

On Monday Irma Clark filed suit in the Cincinnati, Ohio, district court, alleging her son Joseph Clark was exposed to "excessive suffering" violating the US constitution when he was put to death on May 2, 2006, at a state prison in Lucasville, Ohio, according to court documents.

The suit claims that two prison administrators and 12 members of the execution team ignored the fact that Clark, who had been sentenced to death for a 1984 murder, had long been an intravenous drug user making it difficult to carry out the execution by lethal injection.

The filing said it took the execution team 25 minutes on their first attempt to place shunts in Clark's arms to inject the three drugs used in the execution, because of heavy scar tissue on his arms from drug use.

"The first execution attempt failed, probably due to a collapsed vein," the complaint read. "The execution team discovered the problem when Mr Clark lifted his head from the gurney and repeatedly stated, 'It don't work.'"

Clark also asked if there was some other way they could put him to death, according to the suit.

In a second try, it took the team another half-hour to find a usable vein, and as they did, "witnesses could hear Mr Clark's groans from behind the curtain."

After Clark was finally pronounced dead, 86 minutes after the process began, an autopsy showed 19 needle puncture wounds from the process.

The suit alleges the team did not follow procedures and was negligent in handling the execution.

"As a result of defendants' deliberate indifference to the substantial risk of a problematic execution, Mr Clark needlessly suffered humiliation, pain and suffering, and emotional stress," it said.

The suit asks for 150,000 dollars in damages.

Several US states have recently halted executions due to problems with the lethal injection method.

[sereia 0]

give me a break. its awful he suffered for that long, but what did he do to his victims? i don't see why should she get any money.

[Jamie76 0]

Since he was put to death, he obviously killed an individual or individuals. I wonder how long it took his victim(s) to die.

[almaty 19]

i guessing, that under usa law, it is labelled as inhumane treatment....she will win... i surprise, she did not ask for more....

[almaty 19]

Since he was put to death, he obviously killed an individual or individuals. I wonder how long it took his victim(s) to die.

to the justice system, it is not an issue..as the criminal was sentenced to death and needs to be done in a humane manner....86 minutes is excessive and notice..allot of states..stopped this practice

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

give him lead poisoning instead. and cheaper too.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i surprise, she did not ask for more....

i agree.

[Jasman0717 9]

i guessing, that under usa law, it is labelled as inhumane treatment....she will win... i surprise, she did not ask for more....

Inhumane treatment....I vote that murderers rapers be put in a cage and poked with sharp sticks for a while....like a year or so....it is really starting to suck to know that the criminal now has more rights than his victims

[Mags 112]

Actually, I agree with the mother. Just because the criminal (her son) acted inhumanely whilst killing his victim(s) doesn't mean that we have to lower ourselves to that standard as well.

If we are supposed to be more humane then we should show it. 86 minutes is excessive. But then again, I'm against the death penalty full stop, so I'm more than likely to be at the opposite end of the spectrum than many of you here.

[almaty 19]

sister mags, youa re indeed right thinking..this is america and not a land that has no laws or limits..even for the convicted....i am always surprised, how many Catholics and Christians wish painful deaths on the condemmed...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

sister mags, youa re indeed right thinking..this is america and not a land that has no laws or limits..even for the convicted....i am always surprised, how many Catholics and Christians wish painful deaths on the condemmed...

Me too, brother...it just baffles me.

[Aymerlu 3]

sentenced to death for a 1984 murder

Several US states have recently halted executions due to problems with the lethal injection method.

And how much did his victims suffer? Sorry, I find it hard to find sympathy for him

[one...two...tree 2,762]

`Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,

or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply,

`I tell you the truth,

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,

you did for me.'

~ Matthew 25

Jesus - what a radical.

[Mags 112]

sister mags, youa re indeed right thinking..this is america and not a land that has no laws or limits..even for the convicted....i am always surprised, how many Catholics and Christians wish painful deaths on the condemmed...

Yup, it makes us as bad as the murderers and criminals we condemn, imo.

[almaty 19]

sentenced to death for a 1984 murder

Several US states have recently halted executions due to problems with the lethal injection method.

And how much did his victims suffer? Sorry, I find it hard to find sympathy for him

i have no sympathy for him..and i do not think bro steve or sister mags does either..but, we are talking about the state and the law of the land...since this country was established.

...if a person is condemmed to death...by the courts...it needs to be humane and by court...86 minutes and 19 attempts is not....this is defined by law not by personal opinions ////