MCALESTER, Okla. - The Oklahoma Board of Corrections met one day after Gov. Mary Fallin issued a last-minute execution stay because the Department of Corrections did not have the correct lethal injection drugs.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: The Richard Glossip case
Department Director Robert Patton had been tight-lipped on why officials had potassium acetate instead of potassium chloride for RichardGlossip's execution, which had been scheduled for Wednesday.
Patton: DOC staff realized wrong drugs arrived yesterday. Potassium acetate, instead of potassium chloride.
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) October 1, 2015
This created a legal ambiguity Patton said. He then informed governor's office and delay was announced.
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) October 1, 2015
Fallin granted a 37-day stay for Glossip so the state can determine whether potassium acetate can be used or if potassium chloride is available.
Fallin's office says the corrections department received the drugs Wednesday.
A court filing says the state told Glossip's attorneys it had "sufficient drugs" to carry out three upcoming executions. An Aug. 11 letter from Assistant Attorney General John Hadden didn't say whether the department physically possessed the drugs at the time.
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