Federal Judge Grants Stay for Thomas Creech

A federal judge has granted a stay of execution for Thomas Creech, a serial killer, just one week before he was scheduled to be executed on November 13. This decision follows a botched execution attempt in February, where authorities struggled for nearly an hour to establish an IV line, resulting in eight unsuccessful tries. Creech's attorneys argued in their October petition that executing him again would constitute cruel and unusual punishment and violate double jeopardy principles, emphasizing the psychological trauma he endured during the failed execution. Judge G. Murray Snow ruled that more time was needed to evaluate Creech's other pending appeals after the Idaho Supreme Court denied his claims. Creech's case continues to be reviewed as he is required to file a supplemental brief by Friday.