COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio prepared on Tuesday to execute a sick inmate who will be provided a wedge-shaped pillow to help him breathe as he’s put to death this week.

The US Supreme Court refused to stop the execution of death row prisoner Alva Campbell, who appeared to be out of options.

Last week, Republican Governor John Kasich rejected Campbell’s request for clemency. A message was left with the inmate’s lawyers seeking comment.

Campbell’slawyers have argued he is too ill for a lethal injection and he should be spared because of a brutal childhood.

Campbell, 69, became mildly agitated when officials tried lowering him into a normal execution position during an exam last month, according to a medical review performed by a physician contractor for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Dr. James McWeeney noted there were no objective findings such as increased pulse rate or breathing to corroborate Campbell’s anxiety. Nevertheless, he recommended allowing Campbell to lie in a semirecumbent position during the execution.

The exam also failed to find veins suitable for inserting an IV on either of Campbell’s arms.

ASSOCIATED PRESS