Okla. halts execution after botching drug delivery

BAILEY ELISE McBRIDE

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma prison officials have halted the execution of an inmate after botching the delivery of a new three-drug combination.

Prison spokesman Jerry Massie said Tuesday that he didn't know if inmate Clayton Lockett survived the ordeal.

Robert Patton, the director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, halted Lockett's execution about 20 minutes after the first drug was administered. Patton says there was a vein failure.

Lockett was writhing on the gurney and shaking uncontrollably.

The planned execution later Tuesday of a second inmate was postponed.