Paul Ezra Rhoades
Idaho executed Paul Ezra Rhoades by lethal injection on November 18, 2011, at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Boise, the state's first execution in 17 years. He was 54 and an Idaho Falls native, and his mother, Pauline Rhoades, was present; in his final words he said goodbye to her and told the warden he forgave those present. His lawyers challenged the lethal-injection method as cruel and unusual punishment, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied their request. Idaho Department of Correction officials said the execution went according to protocol and that he was pronounced dead at 9:15 a.m.; later reporting raised questions about how the state obtained the pentobarbital, and an Idaho Supreme Court ruling held that the public may learn the source and cost of execution drugs.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. Idaho lethal injection was carried out, and his lawyers had sought a stay over claims the procedure could breach constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, which the U.S. Supreme Court denied.
Reported by: Idaho Department of Correction (the agency that held him); Idaho Corrections Director Brent Reinke (the agency that held him); Ada County Coroner (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawyers (family or their lawyers); U.S. Supreme Court (court).
Sources (8)
- Paul Ezra Rhoades pronounced dead at 9:15 a.m.
- Idaho executes first prisoner in 17 years
- Idaho executes inmate for 1987 slayings
- Idaho executes first convicted killer in 17 years
- IDOC: Rhoades execution cost state $53K
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