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Idaho's longest-serving death row Inmate scheduled for execution after botched attempt – UPI.com

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Idaho's longest-serving death row Inmate scheduled for execution after botched attempt – UPI.com


Thomas Eugene Creech is scheduled to be executed at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13. Photo courtesy of Idaho Department of Corrections/Website

Oct. 17 (UPI) — An Idaho judge has scheduled the execution of the state’s longest-serving death row inmate following a botched attempt to administer his sentence earlier this year.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott on Wednesday issued the death warrant for Thomas Eugene Creech for 10 a.m. on Nov. 13.

The Idaho Department of Correction then served Creech, 74, the death warrant at 10 a.m. Wednesday. He was immediately moved to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution’s F Block, where his execution will take place.

IDOC Director Josh Tewalt confirmed in a statement that Creech will be put to death by lethal injection and that the department has procured the chemicals necessary to administer his sentence.

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The announcement came a day after the IDOC said it had completed modifications to its F Block necessitated by the state’s botched Feb. 28 execution of Creech.

With the septuagenarian strapped to a gurney, the medical team was unable to establish an IV line to administer the lethal cocktail, and his death was called off.

The IDOC said in a statement Tuesday that it had lacked “the appropriate environment to conduct the procedure” but over the summer, the F Block “was renovated to create an execution preparation room to establish venous access.”

It also revised its execution protocols “to reflect how the new space affects the protocols and sequence of procedures,” it said.

Creech has been convicted of killing five people, four in 1974 in Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif., for which he received life sentences. The death penalty was handed down after he pleaded guilty for beating a fellow inmate to death with a sock filled with batteries in 1981.

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However, Creech has confessed to killing more than two dozen people, claiming he was 15 years old when he killed his first victim.

Following its failure in late February to kill Creech, the state’s attorney general, Raul Labrador, described it as a delay of justice.

“Today is a sad day for the families of his victims, and a continuation of the pain they have endured for almost five decades,” Labrador said in a statement. “Our duty is to seek justice for the many victims and their families who experienced the brutality and senselessness of his actions.”

Following the issuance of the death warrant Wednesday, Creech’s attorney, Deborah Czuba, said she was “heartbroken and angered” that the state would try again to execute her client before conducting an official review of what caused the state’s initial failure.

“The level of recklessness puts Idaho in a class by itself, as other states that botched executions took significant steps to examine what went wrong before trying again,” Czuba, supervising attorney for the Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Defenders of Idaho, said in a statement to local media.

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“Idaho has now made itself the first state in the history of the country to try to use lethal injection a second time on the same inmate after failing the first time.”

According to the IDOC, there have been three executions since Idaho enacted its death penalty statute in 1977.

There are nine people on Idaho’s death row, including Creech, who was sentenced to death in 1983, making him the state’s longest-serving death row inmate.



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Idaho

Idaho leaders denounce killing of Minnesota lawmakers

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Idaho leaders denounce killing of Minnesota lawmakers


BOISE, Idaho – Idaho House and Senate leadership have issued a statement condemning the killing of Minnesota lawmakers.

“In unified solidarity and strength, today, the Idaho House and Senate Leadership unequivocally condemn the tragic and senseless execution of two Minnesota lawmakers. Together, we stand firm against all forms of violence, particularly acts that undermine our democratic institutions and those elected by their communities to represent them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, colleagues, and communities affected by this devastating loss. Public servants are elected to bring forward the ideas and interests of their district to the Legislature, where our founding fathers intended a robust debate of these ideas. The legislative process is intended to be difficult, but it is intentional. It is through this very process that we collectively make the best decisions to serve the people of the great state of Idaho. “

Governor Brad Little also released a statement on his X account, saying, “Political violence of any kind cannot be tolerated in our country. Teresa and I are praying for the victims, families, loved ones, and colleagues affected by the devastating attack in Minnesota.”



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DMV urges Treasure Valley residents to renew driver’s licenses online

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DMV urges Treasure Valley residents to renew driver’s licenses online


BOISE — The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging all eligible Treasure Valley residents to renew their driver’s licenses online at www.dmv.idaho.gov.

DMV offices across the region are experiencing higher-than-normal in-person traffic. Renewing online helps reduce wait times, ensures faster service for those who must visit in person, and supports hardworking DMV staff.

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Who can renew online?Most Idahoans can renew online if they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, their license hasn’t been expired for more than 24 months, they are between the ages of 18 and 66, and there have been no recent changes to their vision or ability to operate a vehicle safely. Additional restrictions may apply.

Existing Star Card holders may be eligible to renew their credential online. First time Star Card applications must be processed in person at a local driver’s license office.

Skip the Trip and save time. Renew today at www.dmv.idaho.gov.

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Two Idaho Tribes come together to bless land for future casino

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Two Idaho Tribes come together to bless land for future casino


ADA COUNTY, Idaho — Two Idaho tribes came together to bless the land for a future casino, south of Boise, on Thursday.

For Chairman Brian Mason of the Shoshone-Paiute tribe, being the last to the dance was unacceptable. The Sho-Pai tried for a long time to build their first and only resort and casino, and now, through a partnership with the Coeur d’Alene tribe, the long wait could be over.

Hear what this new casino means for the Shoshone-Paiute tribe:

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Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Land Blessing of a proposed Resort and Casino

“ They gave us the gift of gaming,” Mason said. I asked Brian Mason this. “The joint venture that we’re getting into, we would automatically be 60 percent owners.”

Today, hundreds of tribal members and local dignitaries came to the land south of Boise for a special blessing — to bless this land where the Sho-Pai and Coeur d’Alene tribes reached an agreement to build the casino.

Ceremonial Chief Reggie Sope said we must, as neighbors, bless this land and watch over it. “We ask that all of us, not only as a tribe but as people of Idaho, take care of it,” Sope said. “This is our state, our home, at least take care of it the best that we can.”

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Watch the Sho-Pai tribe come together to bless the land:

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Land Blessing of a proposed Casino site

The Coeur d’Alene tribe was once where the Sho-Pai tribe was 30 years ago — no source of revenue and no jobs.

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Chairman Chief Allan explains what happened after the two met last year in Boise. “We went back to Council and the people, and everyone said ‘hey, this is something we can get behind and we can really help somebody and give back.’ It’s not a handout, it’s a partnership, I call it more like a family.”

Now, the Sho-Pai are working to submit a land acquisition application — a crucial step in getting permission to build outside of the reservation.





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