Alabama calls off execution after difficulties inserting IV
2 years, 1 month ago

Alabama calls off execution after difficulties inserting IV

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — Alabama’s execution of a man convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher’s wife was called off Thursday just before the midnight deadline because state officials couldn’t find a suitable vein to inject the lethal drugs. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison staff tried for about an hour to get the two required intravenous lines connected to Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57. The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Smith’s execution when at about 10:20 p.m. it lifted a stay issued earlier in the evening by the 11th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals. The postponement came after Smith’s final appeals focused on problems with intravenous lines at Alabama’s last two scheduled lethal injections. In 2017, Alabama became the last state to abolish the practice of letting judges override a jury’s sentencing recommendation in death penalty cases, but the change was not retroactive and therefore did not affect death row prisoners like Smith.

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History of this topic

Alabama sets November date for third nitrogen execution
4 months ago

Alabama sets November date for third nitrogen execution

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s governor has set a Nov. 21 execution date for what is scheduled to be the nation’s third death sentence carried out by nitrogen gas. Kay Ivey set the execution date for Carey Dale Grayson, 49, after the Alabama Supreme Court last week ruled that it could take place. While Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall described the …

Alabama carries out first known execution with nitrogen gas in the US. Here’s what we know
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Alabama carries out first known execution with nitrogen gas in the US. Here’s what we know

CNN  

CNN — Alabama inmate Kenneth Smith was put to death Thursday night by nitrogen hypoxia, marking the nation’s first known execution using that method. Here’s what we know about the historic execution: In Alabama, 43 other inmates have requested new execution method After widespread discussion and speculation about how Smith’s execution would unfold, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told reporters …

Federal Court Says Alabama Can Carry Out First Nitrogen Gas Execution
11 months ago

Federal Court Says Alabama Can Carry Out First Nitrogen Gas Execution

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama will be allowed to put an inmate to death with nitrogen gas, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, refusing to block what would be the nation’s first execution by a new method since 1982. “I remain confident that the Supreme Court will come down on the side of justice, and that Smith’s execution …

Supreme Court declines to halt first US nitrogen-gas execution in Alabama case
11 months ago

Supreme Court declines to halt first US nitrogen-gas execution in Alabama case

Hindustan Times  

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to halt Alabama from proceeding with the nation's first execution using nitrogen gas to carry out the death penalty on convicted murderer Kenneth Smith, who survived a botched lethal injection in 2022 that helped prompt a review of the state's death penalty procedures. The justices denied Smith's request to stay his execution, which …

Alabama inmate asks federal appeals court to block first-ever execution by nitrogen gas
11 months ago

Alabama inmate asks federal appeals court to block first-ever execution by nitrogen gas

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An attorney for an Alabama inmate set to be the nation’s first person ever put to death by nitrogen gas asked a federal appeals court Friday to block the upcoming execution using the “untested methods.” Kenneth Smith, 58, is scheduled to be executed Thursday, when a respirator-type mask will be put on his face to replace his …

Lawyers ask federal appeals court to block the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia
11 months, 1 week ago

Lawyers ask federal appeals court to block the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Attorneys for the first inmate slated to be put to death with nitrogen gas have asked a federal appeals court to block the execution scheduled later this month in Alabama. The question of whether Alabama will ultimately be allowed to attempt the nation’s first execution using nitrogen gas could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. “Because …

Alabama court says state can make second attempt to execute inmate whose lethal injection failed
11 months, 1 week ago

Alabama court says state can make second attempt to execute inmate whose lethal injection failed

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday rejected the appeal of a death row inmate who is scheduled to be the first person put to death with nitrogen gas and had argued that he shouldn’t face execution after a previous attempt at a lethal injection failed. Justices without dissent rejected arguments that a second attempt to execute Kenneth …

Alabama inmate asks judge to block first nitrogen gas execution
1 year, 1 month ago

Alabama inmate asks judge to block first nitrogen gas execution

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Lawyers for the first inmate scheduled to be put to death with nitrogen gas argued in Monday court filings that Alabama is seeking to make him the “test case” for an experimental execution method and asked a federal judge to the block the January execution. They noted in the filing that the American Veterinary Medical Association wrote …

Alabama sets date for first-ever US execution of death row inmate by nitrogen gas in 2024, governor says
1 year, 1 month ago

Alabama sets date for first-ever US execution of death row inmate by nitrogen gas in 2024, governor says

CNN  

CNN — Alabama has scheduled the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia, an alternative to lethal injection, its Republican governor said. The new development in Smith’s case comes after Alabama paused executions last fall and reviewed its execution process after problems with lethal injections came into the national spotlight. Alabama finalized the first-ever execution protocols for the new method in …

Alabama death row inmate asks appeals court to block this week’s scheduled execution
1 year, 5 months ago

Alabama death row inmate asks appeals court to block this week’s scheduled execution

CNN  

CNN — An Alabama death row inmate has asked a federal appeals court to stop his execution scheduled for this week, arguing the state hasn’t made sufficient changes to its capital punishment system after problems relating to several other scheduled lethal injections prompted a three-month pause on executions. Attorneys for James Barber filed the motion to the 11th Circuit Court …

Alabama's last two executions failed. They're trying again next week
1 year, 5 months ago

Alabama's last two executions failed. They're trying again next week

NPR  

Alabama's last two executions failed. DETROW: After the failed execution of Smith, Governor Kay Ivey put a pause on executions in order to, quote, "top-to-bottom review of the state's death penalty protocol." So what do Alabama's failed executions say about the future of death by lethal injection? But after the failed execution that we heard about earlier of Kenneth Smith, …

US Supreme Court sides with Alabama inmate who seeks to die by nitrogen hypoxia
1 year, 7 months ago

US Supreme Court sides with Alabama inmate who seeks to die by nitrogen hypoxia

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with an Alabama death row inmate, who had his lethal injection called off at the last minute in November, and argues he should be put to death by nitrogen hypoxia when he is ultimately executed. The state argued the decision disregarded Supreme Court precedent that an inmate challenging an execution …

Supreme Court sides with Alabama inmate who seeks to die by nitrogen gas
1 year, 7 months ago

Supreme Court sides with Alabama inmate who seeks to die by nitrogen gas

CNN  

CNN — The Supreme Court on Monday sided with a death row inmate in Alabama – whose scheduled execution by lethal injection was called off at the last minute by the state – who seeks to die by nitrogen gas when he is ultimately executed. Alabama had asked the high court to intervene – arguing that a lower court that …

Alabama governor says state will resume executions
1 year, 10 months ago

Alabama governor says state will resume executions

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Friday that the state is ready to resume executions and “obtain justice” for victims’ families after lethal injections were paused for three months for an internal review of the state’s death penalty procedures. The governor in November directed the state prison system to undertake a “top-to-bottom” review of death penalty procedures after …

Alabama to resume executions after multiple failed injections prompted system review, governor says
1 year, 10 months ago

Alabama to resume executions after multiple failed injections prompted system review, governor says

CNN  

CNN — Alabama will resume the executions of death row inmates, the governor said Friday, three months after multiple failed lethal injections prompted an internal review of the state’s capital punishment system. In November, Ivey asked Marshall to pause executions and requested the state Department of Corrections to conduct a “top-to-bottom review of the state’s execution process” after problems with …

Alabama extends time for executions, ends automatic review
1 year, 11 months ago

Alabama extends time for executions, ends automatic review

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has changed death penalty procedures to give the prison system more time to carry out executions — a move that comes after a string of troubled lethal injections in the state — and also eliminated an automatic review for trial errors in death penalty cases. Kay Ivey’s office called the time window change a “win for …

Alabama governor seeks more time to carry out executions
2 years ago

Alabama governor seeks more time to carry out executions

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. “In several recent executions, last-minute gamesmanship by death row inmates and their lawyers has consumed a lot of valuable time, preventing the department from carrying out its execution protocol between the conclusion of all legal challenges in the federal courts and the expiration at the death warrant issued by your court,” Ivey wrote. While Ivey …

Attorneys: ‘Botched’ execution caused pain and torture
2 years ago

Attorneys: ‘Botched’ execution caused pain and torture

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama prison staff strapped an inmate to a death chamber gurney, despite a court order in place at the time blocking the execution from going forward, and later subjected him to numerous needle jabs, including in the neck and collarbone region while an official held his head, attorneys wrote in a court filing. Attorneys for Kenneth Eugene …

Alabama pausing executions after 3rd failed lethal injection
2 years, 1 month ago

Alabama pausing executions after 3rd failed lethal injection

Associated Press  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sought a pause in executions and ordered a “top-to-bottom” review of the state’s capital punishment system Monday after an unprecedented third failed lethal injection. Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the department is fully committed to the review and is “confident that we can get this done right.” “Everything is on the table — …

Alabama governor asks to pause executions and review system after recent lethal injections halted
2 years, 1 month ago

Alabama governor asks to pause executions and review system after recent lethal injections halted

CNN  

CNN — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has asked the state’s attorney general to pause executions and requested a “top-to-bottom” review of the state’s capital punishment system following multiple failed lethal injections. “Ivey on Monday asked Attorney General Steve Marshall to withdraw the state’s two pending motions to set execution dates in the cases of Alan Eugene Miller and James Edward …

Alabama fails to complete lethal injection for 3rd time
2 years, 1 month ago

Alabama fails to complete lethal injection for 3rd time

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s string of troubled lethal injections, which worsened late Thursday as prison workers aborted another execution because of a problem with intravenous lines, is unprecedented nationally, a group that tracks capital punishment said Friday. A leader at the Death Penalty Information Center, an anti-death penalty group with a large database on executions, said no state other than …

When Death Must Wait: Alabama calls off execution after problem with inserting IV
2 years, 1 month ago

When Death Must Wait: Alabama calls off execution after problem with inserting IV

Firstpost  

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison staff tried for about an hour to get the two required intravenous lines connected to Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57 ATMORE: Alabama’s execution of a man convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher’s wife was called off Thursday just before the midnight deadline because state officials couldn’t find a suitable …

After difficulties with injection, Alabama cancels execution greenlighted by Supreme Court
2 years, 1 month ago

After difficulties with injection, Alabama cancels execution greenlighted by Supreme Court

LA Times  

Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57, was sentenced to death in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher’s wife and was to have been executed Thursday. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison staff tried for about an hour to get the two required intravenous lines connected to Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57. The postponement came after Smith’s final appeals, which …

Execution of Alabama death row prisoner is called off, state official says, citing time constraints from late-night court battle
2 years, 1 month ago

Execution of Alabama death row prisoner is called off, state official says, citing time constraints from late-night court battle

CNN  

CNN — Alabama corrections officials Thursday cited time constraints caused by a late-night court battle in halting the scheduled execution of a death row prisoner – the second time in as many months the state failed to carry out an execution before the expiration of a death warrant. Smith’s execution was called off at about 11:20 p.m. “due to the …

Man sentenced to death over jury’s wish seeks execution stay
2 years, 1 month ago

Man sentenced to death over jury’s wish seeks execution stay

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — Lawyers on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the upcoming execution of an Alabama man who was sentenced to death over the jury’s wishes — a punishment he could not receive today since states no longer allow judicial override. Alabama in 2017 became the last state to abolish the practice of letting judges override a …

Judge dismisses lawsuit over upcoming lethal injection
2 years, 2 months ago

Judge dismisses lawsuit over upcoming lethal injection

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — A federal judge dismissed an inmate’s claim seeking to block his upcoming execution in Alabama because of reported problems at a recent lethal injection. But U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. also warned Alabama’s prison commissioner to strictly follow established protocol when officials attempt to put Smith to death next month. Smith’s attorneys pointed to a …

Attorneys: Inmate endured ‘torture’ during execution attempt
2 years, 2 months ago

Attorneys: Inmate endured ‘torture’ during execution attempt

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — An Alabama inmate said prison staff poked him with needles for over an hour as they tried to find a vein during an aborted lethal injection last month. Attorneys for 57-year-old Alan Eugene Miller wrote about his experience during Alabama’s Sept. 22 execution attempt in a court filing made last week. The attorneys called Miller the “only …

Judge: State must preserve evidence from halted execution
2 years, 3 months ago

Judge: State must preserve evidence from halted execution

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — A federal judge on Friday ordered Alabama to preserve records and medical supplies associated with a lethal injection attempt after the prison system acknowledged multiple attempts to access the inmate’s veins before calling off the execution. U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. issued the order at the request of the inmate’s lawyers who are trying to …

Execution of Alabama killer Alan Miller abandoned after officials had trouble finding his veins
2 years, 3 months ago

Execution of Alabama killer Alan Miller abandoned after officials had trouble finding his veins

Daily Mail  

An Alabama man who was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection is still alive after officials could not find his vein before a midnight deadline to execute him. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the state halted the scheduled execution of Miller late Thursday after they determined they could not get the lethal injection underway before a midnight deadline …

Alabama calls off execution for time and medical concerns
2 years, 3 months ago

Alabama calls off execution for time and medical concerns

NPR  

Alabama calls off execution for time and medical concerns Enlarge this image toggle caption Dave Martin/AP Dave Martin/AP ATMORE, Ala. — Alabama officials called off the Thursday lethal injection of a man convicted in a 1999 workplace shooting because of time concerns and trouble accessing the inmate's veins. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the state halted the scheduled execution …

State opposes lawsuit to block execution of Alabama inmate
2 years, 3 months ago

State opposes lawsuit to block execution of Alabama inmate

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The state asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an Alabama inmate who is trying to halt his lethal injection later this month by arguing officials lost paperwork in which he selected an alternate execution method. The lawsuit by Alan Eugene Miller, who was convicted of killing three men in a workplace shooting in …

Alabama gov: Execution set despite wishes of victim’s family
2 years, 4 months ago

Alabama gov: Execution set despite wishes of victim’s family

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s governor said Wednesday that she has decided the state will proceed later this week with a plan to execute a man convicted of killing his former girlfriend decades ago, overriding a plea from the victim’s family to spare the man’s life. But Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall urged Ivey to let execution plans proceed and ensure …

Alabama Supreme Court sets execution date for inmate
2 years, 6 months ago

Alabama Supreme Court sets execution date for inmate

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court has set an execution date of July 28 for a man convicted of killing his one-time girlfriend after breaking into her home in Jefferson County almost three decades ago, according to a court order made public Monday. Courts have since rejected appeals by James including claims that his lawyers were ineffective, and the …

Attorneys want moratorium, probe after execution halted
2 years, 7 months ago

Attorneys want moratorium, probe after execution halted

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After an undisclosed “oversight” forced Tennessee to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die last week, Smith’s attorneys on Thursday asked for a moratorium on executions and a review of the state’s execution protocols. Bill Lee issued a brief statement on April 21 at 5:42 p.m. saying that “due to …

State high court won’t hear inmate appeal as execution looms
2 years, 8 months ago

State high court won’t hear inmate appeal as execution looms

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear the appeal of an inmate facing execution this week who sought to have his case reopened after an unknown person’s DNA was found on one of the murder weapons. The state Court of Criminal Appeals ruled last week that Smith didn’t provide evidence that he is innocent of …

Tennessee inmate seeks execution halt over DNA evidence
2 years, 8 months ago

Tennessee inmate seeks execution halt over DNA evidence

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee death row inmate asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday to vacate his execution date so that an appeals court could review new evidence in his case. Earlier this month, Smith asked the Davidson County Criminal Court to reopen his case after a new type of DNA analysis found the DNA of an unknown person …

Supreme Court considers Alabama's bid to allow execution
2 years, 10 months ago

Supreme Court considers Alabama's bid to allow execution

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.S. Supreme Court considered …

Alabama man put to death for 1991 killing of woman
3 years, 2 months ago

Alabama man put to death for 1991 killing of woman

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama man who avoided execution in February was put to death Thursday for the 1991 killing of a woman who was abducted during a robbery and then shot in a cemetery. The court had halted an earlier execution date for Smith in February when he was already in a holding cell near the death chamber and …

Willie B. Smith III: Alabama death row inmate is executed nearly 30 years after murder conviction
3 years, 2 months ago

Willie B. Smith III: Alabama death row inmate is executed nearly 30 years after murder conviction

CNN  

CNN — Alabama death row inmate Willie B. Smith III was executed Thursday night, the state attorney general’s office announced, after the US Supreme Court declined to hear an 11th-hour appeal. “The family of Sharma Johnson has had to wait 29 years, 11 months, and 25 days to see the sentence of Sharma’s murderer be carried out,” state Attorney General …

Alabama: Pastor can hold inmate’s hand during execution
3 years, 3 months ago

Alabama: Pastor can hold inmate’s hand during execution

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama said it will allow a death row inmate’s pastor to hold his hand during a lethal injection next month, a decision that was made to end litigation over the issue. Lawyers for Alabama wrote in a June court document that inmates can now have a personal spiritual adviser present with them in the execution chamber and …

Supreme Court Stays Execution Of Alabama Inmate Who Requested Pastor's Presence
3 years, 10 months ago

Supreme Court Stays Execution Of Alabama Inmate Who Requested Pastor's Presence

NPR  

Supreme Court Stays Execution Of Alabama Inmate Who Requested Pastor's Presence toggle caption Alabama Department of Corrections The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the planned execution of an Alabama death row inmate late Thursday night, after justices upheld a lower court's ruling requiring Willie B. Smith III's personal pastor to be in the chamber with him when he was given the …

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