The botched execution of an Oklahoma inmate on Tuesday could breathe new life into lawsuits challenging state laws that keep certain information about lethal injections secret, according to death penalty experts.
Clayton Lockett, 38, appeared to writhe in pain and attempt to sit up during the execution attempt. After more than 40 minutes, Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton called off the execution. Lockett, whose veins had collapsed during the procedure, died from a heart attack minutes later.
