Death Row Inmate Whose Execution Was Called Off Twice Found Dead In Cell

A death row inmate who had his execution put back has been found dead in his cell.

Scott Raymond Dozier, 48, was handed the death penalty in 2007 for the murder of 22-year-old Jeremiah Miller in 2002. He was also connected to the murder of Jasen "Griffin" Green in 2001, for which he was given a 22-year sentence.

Dozier was on death row at Ely maximum security prison in Nevada, where he was pronounced dead at 4.35pm local time. An autopsy has yet to be carried out, but Navada state officials told nbcnews he died of an apparent suicide.

Spokesperson Brook Santina told the Associated Press Dozier was not on suicide-watch but that he had been monitored by staff in the past.

He had previously spoken out to say that he wanted to die rather than spend years behind bars.

He waived his right to appeal in 2016 and gave a hand-written letter to a judge, in which he said: "I've been very clear about my desire to be executed ... even if suffering is inevitable."

Speaking to the Associated Press, he said: "Just get it done, just do it effectively and stop fighting about it."

But his execution was delayed after concerns were raised that the drugs used in the lethal injection could have left him unable to move and suffocating while remaining conscious.

PA

An additional planned execution was also called off, due to the never-before-used combination of drugs Nevada planned to use - a combination of Diazepam (a sedative), synthetic opiate Fentanyl and cisatracurium (a paralysing drug).

Speaking in June last year - just ahead of his planned execution in July - Amy Rose, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said: "The (state) Supreme Court never decided whether Mr. Dozier would experience extreme pain, or if he would suffocate to death, or if this protocol is constitutionally adequate."

However, the ACLU said it couldn't act on behalf of Dozier unless he requested it.

Had the lethal injection gone ahead as planned, Dozier would have been the first person to be executed in Nevada in 12 years.

Topics: US News, crime

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19