Execution Prolonged When Tube in Killer’s Muscular Arm Leaks

HUNTSVILLE, Tex. — A condemned killer’s muscular arms and previous drug use caused a tube carrying a deadly solution into his arm to spring a leak, prolonging his execution by injection, state officials said Tuesday.

Raymond Landry, 39, was declared dead 24 minutes after prison officials began administering the lethal dosage. Two minutes into the procedure, the tube attached to his right arm sprang a leak, spraying the solution toward witnesses and temporarily halting the execution.

“It was a mechanical and physical problem,” said Ron Dusek, a spokesman for Texas Atty. Gen. Jim Mattox. “Landry was very muscular and had ‘Popeye-type’ arms. When the stuff was flowing, it wouldn’t go into the veins and there was more pressure in the hose than his veins could absorb.”

Dusek called the prolonged execution an accident. But Landry’s attorney, Mike Charlton, said the state had the responsibility to carry out executions with dispatch and dignity.

“This is somewhat bizarre,” Charlton said. “I don’t know how you can describe your feelings about something like that. It had to be absolute hell for Raymond.”

Landry was convicted in the shooting death of Kosmas Prittis. Prittis, 33, a Greek immigrant, was robbed and shot in the head on Aug. 6, 1982, as his wife and children watched.