The Latest: Official: Execution called off due to IV issues

LUCASVILLE, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on the execution of Ohio inmate Alva Campbell (all times local):

12:20 p.m.

Ohio's prisons director says he called off the execution of a condemned killer after members of the state's execution team told him they couldn't find a vein to insert an IV.

Prison chief Gary Mohr says the team made several attempts Wednesday to find a spot on 69-year-old inmate Alva Campbell to administer the lethal drugs and that they handled it humanely.

This was only the third time in U.S. history that an execution has been called off after the process has begun.

Mohr says Campbell will be sent back to death row and that there will be some consideration for a future execution date.

The execution was abruptly halted Wednesday just after it appeared an IV was inserted in Campbell's right leg.

Campbell was sentenced to death for a 1997 carjack killing.

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12:05 p.m.

Ohio has called off the execution of a sick inmate after several unsuccessful attempts to insert an IV.

Members of the Ohio execution team tried to find veins in the arms and right leg of death row prisoner Alva Campbell for about 25 minutes before stopping.

Prisons director Gary Mohr said the team did its best but the condition of Campbell's veins had changed since checks in Tuesday.

This is only the third time in U.S. history that an execution has been called off after the process has begun.

The execution was abruptly halted just after it appeared an IV was inserted in Campbell's right leg.

Campbell, due to be executed for a 1997 carjack killing, shook hands with two members of the execution team and wiped tears away.

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9:20 a.m.

A prisons spokeswoman says a condemned Ohio inmate with multiple health problems will be brought into the state death chamber in a wheelchair.

Attorneys for prisoner Alva Campbell say he uses a walker, suffers breathing problems and may have lung cancer. Campbell also uses a colostomy bag.

Spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said Wednesday that Campbell spent the morning praying with the prisons' agency religious services administrator and watching TV.

The 69-year-old Campbell lost his last appeal Tuesday when the US Supreme Court refused to stop the execution.

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8:40 a.m.

The state says no problems were found with the veins of an inmate with multiple health problems set for execution.

Ohio prisons spokeswoman JoEllen Smith says Wednesday that two checks of condemned killer Alva Campbell a day earlier found the veins "palpable and accessible."

Smith says the 69-year-old Campbell slept most of the night, lying on his right side.

Smith says executioners still plan to provide Campbell a wedge-shaped pillow during the execution because of breathing problems he might suffer lying in his back.

Campbell has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder from a longtime smoking habit.

Smith says Campbell's visits with his attorneys Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning had gone well.

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12:15 a.m.

Ohio is set to execute a sick inmate who will be provided a wedge-shaped pillow to help him breathe as he's put to death.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is allowing the pillow for death row prisoner Alva Campbell during Wednesday's execution because of breathing issues he could experience while lying flat.

A prisons doctor has said the 69-year-old Campbell has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder as the result of a decadeslong two-pack-a-day smoking habit.

Campbell was sentenced to die for killing 18-year-old Charles Dials during a Columbus carjacking two decades ago.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stop the execution.

Last week, Republican Gov. John Kasich denied Campbell's request for clemency.