Thomas Eugene Creech, one of the nation's longest-serving death row inmates, is facing his final hours as his execution is rapidly approaching. Scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, Creech, 73, will be asked if he wants a mild sedative to calm him before being strapped to a padded medical table. Despite efforts from his defense attorneys and a former warden who support his clemency, Idaho Governor Brad Little has indicated he will not halt the execution, which will be the state's first in 12 years.

Creech, who has been imprisoned since 1974, was originally sentenced to death for the murders of John Wayne Bradford and Edward Thomas Arnold. His sentence was later changed to life in prison due to a sentencing law being found unconstitutional. In 1983, he was sentenced to death again for the murder of David Dale Jensen, a disabled man serving time for car theft, who Creech beat to death in prison. Jensen's family members described him as a gentle soul during Creech's clemency hearing, where they spoke about the pain of growing up without a father.

Creech's attorneys have filed multiple appeals in a last-ditch effort to halt the execution, claiming that his clemency hearing was unfair and that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Despite these efforts, the U.S. Supreme Court denied his request for a stay of execution. Creech's spiritual advisor will be allowed to stand next to him and silently pray over him during the execution, but will not be able to hold his hand or make noise once the lethal injection begins.

Supporters of Creech have pushed for his sentence to be converted to life without parole, citing his changed behavior while in prison, including marrying the mother of a correctional officer, writing poetry, and expressing gratitude towards correctional officers. However, prosecuting attorney Jill Longhorst described Creech as a psychopath who lacks remorse and empathy for others.

Creech's execution will be the second in the U.S. this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Idaho's death penalty history dates back to 1864, with only four executions carried out since 1957, all by lethal injection. After Creech's execution, only seven people will remain on Idaho's death row. Despite the flurry of last-minute appeals, Creech's fate now lies in the hands of the state as his final hours approach.