Killer's execution takes two hours, but Arizona governor says 'he did not suffer'
Gasps, snores and chest heaves too in double murderer Joseph Wood's drawn-out killing by lethal injection. He didn't suffer, governor says
Joseph Rudolph Wood looked around the death chamber of the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence and glanced at the doctors as they made preparations for his execution, locating the proper veins and inserting two lines into his arms.
Wood then uttered his final words. "I take comfort knowing today my pain stops, and I said a prayer that on this or any other day you may find peace in all of your hearts and may God forgive you all," Wood said.
He smiled at the victim's family, angering them, and made eye contact with a deacon. A subtle look of panic took over his face.
[Wood] has been gasping for more than an hour. He is still alive
Officials administered the lethal drugs at 1.52pm. Wood's eyes closed. About 10 minutes later, the gasping began.
Wood's jaw dropped, his chest expanded, and he let out a gasp. The gasps repeated every five to 12 seconds, hundreds of times. He could be heard snoring loudly when an administrator informed the gallery that Wood was still sedated, despite the sounds.
"He has been gasping for more than an hour," the lawyers pleaded. "He is still alive."
The Arizona Supreme Court convened an impromptu telephone hearing with lawyers for the defence and the state.