Editing Joseph Wood (section)

== Aftermath ==
Governor Jan Brewer ordered a review of the state's execution procedures, citing concern with the length of time it took Wood to die.<sup>[2]</sup> Regarding the execution, Brewer said “One thing is certain, however, inmate Wood died in a lawful manner and by eyewitness and medical accounts he did not suffer. This is in stark comparison to the gruesome, vicious suffering that he inflicted on his two victims – and the lifetime of suffering he has caused their family.”<sup>[14]</sup>

Charles Ryan, director of Arizona’s department of corrections, said in a statement: “Once the inmate was sedated, other than sonorous respiration, or snoring, he did not grimace or make any further movement. Throughout this execution, I conferred and collaborated with our IV team members and was assured unequivocally that the inmate was comatose and never in pain or distress.”

Maya Foa, of anti-death penalty group Reprieve, said: “The state of Arizona had every reason to believe that this procedure would not go smoothly; the experimental execution ‘cocktail’ had only been used once before, and that execution too was terribly botched. Despite the evidence, the state pushed ahead, jettisoning due process and cloaking the procedure in secrecy. The result was an exercise in torture.”

Dale Baich, Wood's public defender, decried the execution as a violation of the Constitution's prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment", and said it could have been prevented.

On July 24, Arizona temporarily halted executions following the Wood case, pending a review of its procedures.

Democratic State Senator Ed Ableser of Tempe called for an independent inquiry into the execution and the United States Supreme Court is reviewing capital punishment.
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[[Category:Elderly]]
[[Category:Modern Villains]]
[[Category:Execution]]
[[Category:Deceased]]