Randy Krehbiel
Tulsa World Staff Writer
Officials asked the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Tuesday to extend from 60 days to 90 days the time between executions by the Department of Corrections.
The motion by Attorney General Gentner Drummond and DOC Director Steven Harpe would alter the execution schedule for six death-row inmates: Richard Norman Rojem, Emmanuel Littlejohn, Kevin Ray Underwood, Wendell Arden Grissom, Tremane Wood and Kendrick Antonio Simpson.
It would not affect the executions of Michael DeWayne Smith on April 4 or Tulsa killer Wade Greely Lay on June 6.
Last year, Drummond asked the court to extend from 30 days to 60 days the interval between executions, citing the DOC’s need for additional time to “recover.”
A similar case is made in Tuesday’s motion.
In an affidavit filed with the motion, Harpe notes that the scheduling of an execution date triggers a series of tasks that must be completed by DOC staff, many of which must occur weeks before the slated execution.
People are also reading…
“The day of an execution affects not only those directly involved in the execution, but the entirety of Oklahoma State Penitentiary, which goes into a near complete lockdown until the execution is completed,” says an affidavit by Harpe included with the motion.
“Each execution, including the preceding weeks of protocol tasks, involves eight different teams, each of which is comprised of multiple individuals.”
In the affidavit, Harpe says, “based on the executions I’ve overseen, the present pace of executions, one every 60 days, is too onerous and not sustainable.”
A total of 36 inmates are on Oklahoma’s death row.
The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Users can customize the app so you see the stories most important to you. You can also sign up for personalized notifications so you don't miss any important news.
If you're on your phone, download it here now: Apple Store or Google Play
