The Idaho State Correctional Complex is located south of Boise. (Logan Finney/Idaho Reports)
This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Jan. 29, 2024.
The Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole on Monday denied a commutation recommendation for Thomas Creech, the state’s longest-serving man on death row.
After hearing arguments on the commutation request on Jan. 19, the commission voted 3-3 on whether to grant a commutation recommendation. A tie-vote means the request is denied.
Commissioner Patrick McDonald recused himself from Creech’s hearing. McDonald would have been the tie-breaking vote.
Creech’s attorneys asked that his death sentence be commuted to life in prison without parole, saying Creech is a changed man. Without a recommendation from the seven-person commission, the governor cannot commute Creech’s death sentence.
Thomas Creech has been on death row since 1983 for the beating death of fellow inmate David Jensen in 1981.
(Courtesy of Christine Hanley/ Federal Defender Services of Idaho)