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Man due to be executed in Texas tonight told about Christa Pike's botched execution - his response stunned his adviser
A death row inmate in Texas is due to be executed today, and is set to become the first person to face lethal injection since Christa Pike survived a botched execution attempt last week.
Jamaal Howard, 46, is set to be executed in the state for the 2000 murder of petrol station worker Vicky Swartout.
Man set to be executed responds to Christa Pike's failed execution
His execution is expected to also use pentobarbital, the same drug involved in Pike's failed execution in Tennessee last week. However, Howard's spiritual adviser says the prisoner does not appear to understand that the procedure is intended to end his life.
Dr Jeff Hood, who has been advising Howard, claims the 46-year-old is intellectually disabled and has struggled to comprehend what is going on, with the the medical professional revealing to Metro: "I told Jamaal last week about what happened to Christa. That the drugs didn’t work and she was now in hospital.
"I thought he would be upset, but I was wrong. He told me, 'I am not worried, because the warden will just come and shoot me in the head,' which is clearly not based in reality."
Howard was convicted over the death of Swartout after prosecutors alleged that, when he was 20, he stole his grandfather's gun and fired at the petrol station worker, ultimately killing her.
Execution under increased scrutiny
With the execution scheduled for Wednesday, Howard's family and Dr Hood have raised concerns about his mental state, even claiming that he was shot in the head.
His condition has reportedly deteriorated to the point where he no longer recognizes people he has known for years and frequently mistakes Dr Hood for his lawyer.
Despite claims about his intellectual disability, prosecutors have continued to support the death sentence.
The spiritual adviser said Howard appears to misunderstand what is meant when people discuss the drugs involved in his execution.
"When you talk about the lethal injection drugs, he thinks you are talking about drugs that would get you high or something,” the doctor added.
"He really has no idea it will end his life. My worst fear is going into the chamber with him today, and him telling me he doesn’t know what’s going on."
Howard's planned execution comes just days after Pike made history by surviving two doses of a lethal injection during her attempted execution in Tennessee, with her lawyers revealing on Tuesday that Pike is now conscious and able to speak, despite suffering serious injuries during the procedure.
In an emailed statement to The Tennessean, Pike’s lawyers, Randy Spivey and Kelly Gleason said: "Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care.
"Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed. Her recovery is medically unprecedented. Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, we expect a long recovery."
Understandably, Howard's execution comes with renewed scrutiny, with many remaining focused on the use of pentobarbital and the circumstances surrounding Pike's failed execution.