Boise, Idaho – Idaho’s prison system faces a somber task this Wednesday as they prepare to carry out the execution of 73-year-old Thomas Eugene Creech, one of the nation’s longest-serving death row inmates. Creech is set to be put to death by lethal injection for the murder of a fellow prisoner in 1981, marking the state’s first execution in 12 years.
Creech, also known as “Tom” within the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, has spent nearly five decades behind bars after being convicted of multiple murders across three states. Despite his violent past, Creech has been described as an old-timer with a talent for poetry, with some prison staff even advocating for his clemency.
Over the years, Creech’s attorneys have filed numerous appeals in several courts, challenging his execution on multiple grounds including claims of inadequate legal representation and concerns over the source of Idaho’s execution drugs. Despite these efforts, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected a key argument against Creech’s execution.
Creech’s criminal history is marred by a series of brutal killings, with official estimates pointing to at least 11 deaths attributed to him. From a string of murders in Arizona and Oregon to deadly encounters in Idaho and Wyoming, Creech has left a trail of devastation in his wake, culminating in his current death sentence for the killing of fellow inmate David Jensen.
Jensen, a young and disabled man serving time for car theft, tragically fell victim to Creech’s violence, leaving behind grieving loved ones who have opposed any leniency for Creech. As the execution date looms, emotions run high among those who have crossed paths with Creech behind bars, many grappling with conflicting feelings of justice and loss.
Despite Creech’s past atrocities, some within the prison community believe he has undergone a transformation during his years of incarceration, now making positive contributions to his surroundings. As the final hour approaches, the impending execution serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of Creech’s actions on countless lives, both within and beyond prison walls.