Okla. prisons board to discuss execution probe

STRINGTOWN, Okla. (AP) – The Oklahoma Board of Corrections is expected to meet behind closed doors to discuss an ongoing investigation into the botched execution of a death row inmate.

The board is to meet Thursday at the Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown.

An agenda item says the board will meet in executive session to discuss the investigation and "possible litigation" regarding the April 29 execution of Clayton Lockett.

Gov. Mary Fallin ordered an investigation into the execution after Lockett’s vein collapsed during his lethal injection, prompting prison officials to halt the execution. Lockett later died of a heart attack.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Thompson said last week that "significant progress" is being made in the investigation and he anticipates it will be completed within weeks.

He did not elaborate further.