Although the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) subsequently acknowledged that there had been issues locating the intravenous line,
Officials at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore first said that the execution proceeded as planned.
The Mirror reports that James “struggled and had to be sedated” and that an autopsy showed several puncture wounds and needle incisions on his torso.
The investigation eventually revealed that the fatal injection had been given hours before the journalists were permitted entry at about 9.00 p.m., according to human rights group Reprieve US.
According to an article in the Atlantic, “James, it appeared, had suffered a long death.” The story also quoted specialists who said that.
The convicted killer may not have spoken before passing away because he could have been drugged to make it easier to locate a vein.
