Boise, Idaho – Idaho’s prison system is preparing for the execution of Thomas Eugene Creech, one of the nation’s longest-serving death row inmates. Creech, 73, is set to be put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday for the murder of a fellow prisoner with a battery-filled sock back in 1981.
Throughout his time in prison, Creech has been known to the staff as simply “Tom,” a well-behaved individual who has developed a talent for poetry. Despite his troubling past which includes being convicted of five murders in three states and suspected of several more, Creech has managed to cultivate relationships with prison employees over the years.
Efforts to halt his execution have been ongoing, with Creech’s attorneys filing a series of last-minute appeals in multiple courts. They have argued that Idaho’s refusal to disclose the source of their execution drug violates Creech’s rights, as well as claiming that he received inadequate legal representation.
Known for his history of violence and potential involvement in numerous other deaths, Creech’s past includes a string of murders across different states. Despite some confessions being discredited, authorities focus on at least 11 deaths potentially linked to Creech.
Creech’s criminal journey spans from Arizona to Oregon and eventually to Idaho, where he landed in prison in 1974. His violent acts through the years led to various convictions and ultimately to his death sentence for the murder of David Jensen, a fellow inmate who suffered from disabilities. Jensen’s family has been vocal in opposing Creech’s clemency bid, sharing memories of a beloved family member who was taken too soon.
As Creech’s execution date approaches, reactions inside the prison are mixed. While some acknowledge the impact of his crimes, others highlight his apparent transformation during his decades behind bars. The impending loss of a familiar face within the prison community is expected to evoke a range of emotions among staff and inmates alike.