Joe Dorman Says Arizona's Botched Execution Shows Need for Independent Investigation in Oklahoma

Press Release

Rep. Joe Dorman, Democratic nominee for Governor, said Arizona's botched execution yesterday makes it even more critical for Mary Fallin to allow a truly independent investigation into Clayton Lockett's botched execution.

"Back in May, I called on Mary Fallin to put the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in charge of the investigation of Clayton Lockett's execution, and she unwisely ignored my suggestion," said Dorman. "What happened in Arizona yesterday will only put more pressure on Oklahoma to figure out exactly what went wrong with Lockett's execution in April."

A Tulsa World article Thursday reported Arizona used the same drugs used in Lockett's execution.

"That the same drugs were used in Arizona will increase the spotlight on the flaws of Oklahoma's death penalty process, and Fallin's proposed investigation simply does not suffice," said Dorman. "Appointing a cabinet secretary who was a witness to the execution and who she can hire and fire at will to lead the investigation continues Fallin's pattern of secrecy, and it will not result in unbiased findings. As long as we do not have a real investigation, these botched executions will continue. Put simply, Fallin is putting capital punishment in jeopardy -- not only in Oklahoma, but nationwide."

Said Dorman, "Oklahomans support capital punishment for the most heinous of crimes, and we need a Governor who is not so arrogant handling this responsibility. We can and we must do better."

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