BOISE – This morning, the state of Idaho failed to complete the execution of Thomas Creech, a man who has been on death row for 50 years. The ACLU of Idaho condemns the death penalty and calls on state authorities to commute Thomas Creech’s case to life in prison.
Leo Morales, ACLU of Idaho Executive Director:
“The failed execution of Thomas Creech calls attention to additional reasons why the government should not be in the business of executing people. The system is inhumane, cruel, traumatizing, and ineffective, all while spending millions of dollars in a process that could have instead provided relief to murdered victim’s families.
The ACLU of Idaho is against the death penalty in any situation, and today’s botched execution is just one additional reason.
We urge the State to call off any further attempts at execution and instead commute Mr. Creech’s sentence to life in prison. Thomas Creech has consistently demonstrated signs of restitution, remorse, and contrition with his exemplary behavior for the past 30 years.
Calling off any further attempts at execution is the right thing to do. No person should have to relive the trauma of what could potentially be another failed execution. Further attempts at execution will retraumatize all involved.”
Paul Carlos Southwick, ACLU of Idaho Legal Director:
“In addition to the ethical concerns around executing a harmless elderly man, the ACLU of Idaho has legal concerns with capital punishment’s relationship with the Eighth Amendment, which preserves the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. We argue that there is no crueler punishment than death at the hands of the state. We are also concerned about the government’s lack of transparency in obtaining the expensive drugs used in the failed execution, and how they plan on moving forward.”
The ACLU of Idaho is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of Idaho strives to advance civil liberties and civil rights through activities that include litigation, education, and lobbying.