The Inmate Who Survived Lethal Injection on Death Row
A botched attempt to carry out a death sentence in Ohio led to a lawsuit
After someone receives a death sentence, it can take years before it’s actually carried out. Some states become entangled in appeals and bureaucracy, leading to situations where death row inmates pass away from natural causes before execution. In theory, the death penalty represents finality. But what if someone manages to survive the state’s attempt to end their life?
Although uncommon, such incidents have occurred more than expected. Before the modern era, there were documented cases of individuals surviving hangings and firing squads. One notable case involved Willie Francis, who miraculously survived the electric chair when he was 17, having been convicted of murdering his former employer. However, he was later executed successfully in a subsequent attempt.
In more recent times, only two death row inmates have survived their scheduled executions. Among them is Romell Broom, who faced a lethal injection in 2009. Who is he, and how did he manage to survive?
Born in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1956, Romell Broom relocated to Ohio with his mother in 1961. His criminal history traces back to 1969 when he was just 13 years old, according to The Criminal Journal…
