More coverage of Christopher Newton execution:  Julie Carr Smyth has this story for AP, entitled "Execution took two hours; vein couldn't be located."  AC Media has this report, entitled "Ohio Botches Execution Again."  WTOL-TV in Toledo has this article, entitled "Toledo Attorney Angry Over Botched Executions," on the reaction by Joseph Clark attorney Alan Konop.  Alan Johnson has this for the Columbus Dispatch, entitled "Prisoner executed after IV lines cause delay."  The Toledo Blade has this article, entitled "Prison staff's inability to find veins prolongs Newton's execution."  The Mansfield News Journal has this.  Wayne Baker has this article (and accompanying video with graphic and disturbing witness acounts by reporters Marck Kovac and Mike Bowersock) in the Sandusky Register, entitled "Huron man executed."  Jo Ingles has this audio report (2:47) for Ohio Public Radio (contains actualities of Carrie Davis of the Ohio ACLU and Andrea Dean of ODRC).

AP excerpt:
...Prison staff acted "out of an abundance of caution," and the amount of time they spent ensuring two veins were open prevented problems with the chemical injection, said Keith Dailey, spokesman for Gov. Ted Strickland.

"The governor's understanding is that the procedure worked exactly the way it is supposed to work," he said.

A group of Ohio inmates is suing over the state's injection method, saying it is unconstitutionally cruel, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio called on the state to stop executions because of Thursday's problems.

The incident will be discussed as part of the inmate lawsuit and helps show the state is unable to smoothly complete executions, said Greg Meyers, chief counsel for the Public Defender's Office.

"There will be a day in trial that they will have to answer up as to what caused this two-hour delay," he said. "That's a lot of time messing around trying to get a needle in a vein."

Dispatch excerpt:
...In an interview, Strickland told The Dispatch that he was "personally satisfied that everything that was done during that process" showed consideration for the inmate. He said the event "is not a justification for a change of position regarding the death penalty in Ohio."

Strickland, who monitored the execution from his Statehouse office, added, "It's a sad and tragic thing when any human life is lost."

Terry Collins, director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said the IV problems were handled in line with procedural changes he made after Clark's execution. ...

Blade excerpt:
...Fifty-three minutes into the process, prisons spokesman Andrea Dean flashed a note to reporters: "We have told the team to take their time. His size is creating a problem."

Gov. Ted Strickland said every precaution was taken to make sure Newton was treated respectfully and was not in pain.

"The procedure worked as it was intended to work," he said. "If someone is against the death penalty then I can understand why they would want me to have a moratorium on the death penalty, but I think what happened today is not any supporting justification for that." ...

News Journal excerpt:
...At 11:37 Newton was still laughing as three drugs were administered intaveneously — one to induce a deep sleep, a second to stop his respiratory system and a third to halt heart activity, Caudill said.

Two minutes later, Newton’s neck twitched and at 11:44 a.m. he uttered inaudible sounds but didn’t open his eyes. Seven minutes later he was declared dead. ...

Register excerpt:
...The deadly combination of drugs: sodium pentothal (puts an individual into a deep sleep), pancuronium (stops the respiratory system) and potassium chloride (stops heart activity) were finally administered at 11:34 a.m.

Shortly thereafter, Newton gasped for air, his throat palpitating several times. His hands and forehead turned blue. ...