Alabama man’s execution was botched, advocacy group alleges
2 years, 6 months ago

Alabama man’s execution was botched, advocacy group alleges

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama corrections officials apparently botched an inmate’s execution last month, an anti-death penalty group alleges, citing the length of time that passed before the prisoner received the lethal injection and a private autopsy indicating his arm may have been cut to find a vein. “States cannot continue to pretend that the abhorrent practice of lethal injection is in any way humane.” The Alabama Department of Forensic Science declined a request to release the state’s autopsy of James, citing an ongoing review that happens after every execution. Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, a national nonprofit organization that analyzes issues concerning capital punishment, said the delay between the Supreme Court’s go-ahead and the execution, combined with the autopsy, points to a “botched execution, and it is among the worst botches in the modern history of the U.S. death penalty.” “This execution is Exhibit A as to why execution secrecy laws are intolerable,” Dunham wrote in an email to the AP. “The public is entitled to know what went on here — and what goes on in all Alabama executions — from the instant the execution team begins the process of physically preparing the prisoner for the lethal injection until the moment the prisoner dies.” ___ This story has been edited to correct the spelling of James Ransom’s name.

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History of this topic

Florida executes man convicted of killing 8-year-old girl, her grandmother
1 week, 1 day ago

Florida executes man convicted of killing 8-year-old girl, her grandmother

India Today  

A Florida man convicted of murdering an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother in 1993 was executed Thursday evening after decades on death row. Prison officials confirmed that Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8:15 pm following a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The U.S. Supreme Court denied James’ final appeals earlier in the day, allowing …

Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother
Trending News
1 week, 2 days ago

Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother

Hindustan Times  

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man who killed an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother on a night in which he drank heavily and used drugs is set to be executed Thursday. Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother Edward James, 63, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at …

Florida man is executed for the killings of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother
1 week, 2 days ago

Florida man is executed for the killings of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother

Associated Press  

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man who killed an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother on a night in which he drank heavily and used drugs was executed Thursday evening. Prison officials said Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m. after receiving a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The U.S. Supreme Court denied James’ final appeals …

‘He is innocent': Juror urges clemency for Alabama man facing execution
1 month ago

‘He is innocent': Juror urges clemency for Alabama man facing execution

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court has cleared the way for the execution of a man whose innocence claim is supported by a juror from his trial. Kacey Keeton, a lawyer for Myers, said his case is “rife with examples of failure.” She said there is no physical evidence linking him to the crime. I believe, without reservation, that …

Alabama executes man who killed five, including pregnant woman, and welcomed his own death sentence
5 months, 1 week ago

Alabama executes man who killed five, including pregnant woman, and welcomed his own death sentence

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Prior to his execution, Dearman had …

Alabama to execute man for quintuple murder rampage
5 months, 1 week ago

Alabama to execute man for quintuple murder rampage

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dearman pleaded guilty to killing five people during …

Oklahoma executes a man for a 1992 killing despite board recommending his life be spared
6 months ago

Oklahoma executes a man for a 1992 killing despite board recommending his life be spared

Associated Press  

McALESTER, Okla. — Oklahoma executed a man Thursday for his role in the 1992 fatal shooting of a convenience store owner after the governor again rejected a recommendation from the state’s parole board to spare a death row inmate’s life. Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, received a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and was declared dead at 10:17 a.m. “A …

Alabama opposes defense attorneys’ request to film nitrogen execution
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Alabama opposes defense attorneys’ request to film nitrogen execution

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The state of Alabama asked a judge Friday to deny defense lawyers’ request to film the next execution by nitrogen gas in an attempt to help courts evaluate whether the new method is humane. The request to record the scheduled Sept. 26 execution of Alan Miller was filed by attorneys for another man facing the death penalty, …

Alabama sets mid-October execution date for man who killed 5 in ax and gun attack
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Alabama sets mid-October execution date for man who killed 5 in ax and gun attack

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has set a mid-October execution date for a man who admitted to killing five people with an axe and gun and later told a judge he was dropping his appeals so he could be put to death. Dearman was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to killing five members of his then-girlfriend’s family during an Aug. …

Double killer receives lethal injection execution in Alabama
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Double killer receives lethal injection execution in Alabama

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a motion …

Missouri man executed for killing his cousin and her husband in 2006
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Missouri man executed for killing his cousin and her husband in 2006

Associated Press  

— A Missouri man was executed Tuesday for killing his cousin and her husband nearly two decades ago in an attack that left the couple’s 4-year-old daughter home alone and unharmed. After they went to bed, Dorsey took a shotgun from the garage and killed both of them before sexually assaulting Sarah Bonnie’s body, prosecutors said. Mike Parson denied a …

Man put to death for 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend, Georgia’s first execution in years
1 year ago

Man put to death for 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend, Georgia’s first execution in years

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Ga. — A Georgia man convicted of the killing of his former girlfriend three decades ago was put to death Wednesday evening in the state’s first execution in more than four years. Pye’s lawyers filed late appeals urging the U.S. Supreme Court to step in, but the justices unanimously rejected to stop the execution. Pye’s lawyers had argued in …

Alabama carries out first known execution with nitrogen gas in the US. Here’s what we know
1 year, 2 months 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 …

Alabama court says state can make second attempt to execute inmate whose lethal injection failed
1 year, 2 months 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 …

Oklahoma executes man who claimed self-defense in a 2001 double killing
1 year, 3 months ago

Oklahoma executes man who claimed self-defense in a 2001 double killing

Associated Press  

McALESTER, Okla. — Oklahoma executed a man Thursday for a double killing in 2001, despite his claims of self-defense and a board’s clemency recommendation that the governor waited until the last minute to reject. Hancock long claimed that he shot and killed Jett, 37, and Lynch, 58, in self-defense after the two men attacked him inside Jett’s home in south …

Alabama inmate executed for the shooting death of man in 1993 robbery
1 year, 4 months ago

Alabama inmate executed for the shooting death of man in 1993 robbery

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama inmate convicted of killing a man during a 1993 robbery when he was a teenager was executed Thursday by lethal injection. I hope you find peace.” McWhorter also used his final words to take an apparent verbal jab at his executioner, the prison warden who faced domestic violence accusations decades ago, saying that, “it’s not …

Alabama executes man for the 2001 beating death of a woman, resuming lethal injections after review
1 year, 8 months ago

Alabama executes man for the 2001 beating death of a woman, resuming lethal injections after review

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — Alabama executed a man on Friday for the 2001 beating death of a woman as the state resumed lethal injections after failed executions prompted the governor to order an internal review of procedures. In a last-minute legal fight, Barber’s attorneys had argued that the execution shouldn’t go forward, citing the state’s difficulties obtaining intravenous access in recent …

Alabama to carry out first lethal injection after review of execution procedures
1 year, 8 months ago

Alabama to carry out first lethal injection after review of execution procedures

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 Alabama plans to execute an …

Alabama death row inmate asks appeals court to block this week’s scheduled execution
1 year, 8 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 …

August execution date for man who killed St. Louis-area girl
1 year, 11 months ago

August execution date for man who killed St. Louis-area girl

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 Missouri Supreme Court on …

Alabama ‘execution survivor’ reaches settlement with state
2 years, 3 months ago

Alabama ‘execution survivor’ reaches settlement with state

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — Alabama won’t seek another lethal injection date for an inmate whose September execution had been halted because of problems establishing an intravenous line, according to the terms of a settlement agreement approved on Monday. Miller had argued that the state lost paperwork stating he picked nitrogen hypoxia as his execution method and then subjected him to torture …

Alabama pausing executions after 3rd failed lethal injection
2 years, 4 months 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 fails to complete lethal injection for 3rd time
2 years, 4 months ago

Alabama fails to complete lethal injection for 3rd time

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 Alabama's string of troubled lethal …

Alabama execution set in murder-for-hire of preacher's wife
2 years, 4 months ago

Alabama execution set in murder-for-hire of preacher's wife

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 Alabama is preparing to execute …

Judge dismisses lawsuit over upcoming lethal injection
2 years, 5 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, 5 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 …

Execution of Alabama killer Alan Miller abandoned after officials had trouble finding his veins
2 years, 6 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 …

Delay raises questions about Alabama lethal injection
2 years, 8 months ago

Delay raises questions about Alabama lethal injection

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 Alabama’s prison commissioner did not …

Alabama executes Joe Nathan James Jr over 1994 murder despite victim’s family pleas
2 years, 8 months ago

Alabama executes Joe Nathan James Jr over 1994 murder despite victim’s family pleas

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alabama has executed a …

Alabama killer is executed following a final phone call to his mother
2 years, 8 months ago

Alabama killer is executed following a final phone call to his mother

Daily Mail  

An Alabama inmate who shot his girlfriend dead nearly three decades ago was executed by lethal injection Thursday night after having a final phone call with his mother and despite pleas from the victim's family for clemency. Joe Nathan James Jr., 50, received a lethal injection at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore after the US Supreme Court denied …

Man executed despite calls from victim’s family to spare him
2 years, 8 months ago

Man executed despite calls from victim’s family to spare him

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama inmate convicted of killing his former girlfriend decades ago was executed Thursday night despite pleas from the victim’s family to spare his life. “We hoped the state wouldn’t take a life simply because a life was taken and we have forgiven Mr. Joe Nathan James Jr. for his atrocities toward our family.. We pray that …

Alabama governor ignores wishes of victim’s family to set execution date for man who killed girlfriend
2 years, 8 months ago

Alabama governor ignores wishes of victim’s family to set execution date for man who killed girlfriend

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The governor of Alabama …

Alabama gov: Execution set despite wishes of victim’s family
2 years, 8 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 execution to proceed over wishes of victim's family
2 years, 8 months ago

Alabama execution to proceed over wishes of victim's family

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 Alabama's governor said Wednesday that …

Alabama Supreme Court sets execution date for inmate
2 years, 9 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 …

Execution for Georgia man who killed girl temporarily stayed
2 years, 10 months ago

Execution for Georgia man who killed girl temporarily stayed

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A judge on Monday temporarily delayed the execution of a Georgia man who was scheduled to die Tuesday for killing an 8-year-old girl 46 years ago. The lawsuit filed on behalf of the Federal Defender Program, which represents Presnell, alleges the agreement said that, with one named exception, executions wouldn’t resume until six months after three conditions had …

Ohio governor delays more executions over drug shortage
3 years, 1 month ago

Ohio governor delays more executions over drug shortage

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. His actions Friday: — Moved the execution date of Percy Hutton, sentenced out of Cuyahoga County for the 1985 slaying of Derek Mitchell, from June 22 to June 18, 2025. — Moved the execution date of Douglas Coley, sentenced out of Lucas County for the carjacking and fatal shooting of 21-year-old Samar El-Okdi in Toledo in …

Alabama inmate who survived execution bid buried with family
3 years, 3 months ago

Alabama inmate who survived execution bid buried with family

Associated Press  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — An Alabama inmate who survived an execution attempt and died years later of natural causes was laid to rest in a grave dug by family and friends, his lawyer said. Doyle Lee Hamm, who was convicted of capital murder in the slaying of a motel clerk in 1987, was buried Friday afternoon beside his parents, siblings and …

Alabama: Death row inmate who survived a botched execution attempt dies of cancer
3 years, 4 months ago

Alabama: Death row inmate who survived a botched execution attempt dies of cancer

CNN  

CNN — An Alabama death row inmate who survived a botched execution attempt in 2018 has died. The State of Alabama attempted to execute Hamm by lethal injection in February 2018, but failed after staff and medical personnel worked for 2 1/2 hours to find veins in his groin, feet and legs. Harcourt called the execution attempt “botched and bloody” …

Alabama man put to death for 1991 killing of woman
3 years, 5 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, 5 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 …

Andrew Brown Jr executed by ‘kill shot’ to his head: Lawyers
3 years, 11 months ago

Andrew Brown Jr executed by ‘kill shot’ to his head: Lawyers

Al Jazeera  

Lawyers for the family of Andrew Brown Jr, a Black man shot by sheriff’s deputies in North Carolina during an attempted arrest last week, said body camera footage and an independent autopsy showed Brown had been “executed”. “Let’s be clear: This was an execution.” The shooting last Wednesday, a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of …

Alabama poised to execute man for three murders he didn’t commit
5 years ago

Alabama poised to execute man for three murders he didn’t commit

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In 2005, condemned inmate Nathaniel Woods was found …

The Latest: Alabama executes man for 1997 quadruple killing
5 years, 10 months ago

The Latest: Alabama executes man for 1997 quadruple killing

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — The Latest on the scheduled Alabama execution of a man convicted in a quadruple killing : 7:45 p.m. Prison officials say 41-year-old inmate Michael Brandon Samra was pronounced dead at 7:33 p.m. following a lethal injection at the state prison at Atmore. Samra and a friend, Mark Duke, were convicted of capital murder in the deaths of …

Alabama inmate who wanted nitrogen spared lethal injection
5 years, 11 months ago

Alabama inmate who wanted nitrogen spared lethal injection

Associated Press  

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama inmate convicted in the 1991 sword-and-dagger slaying of a pastor was spared a lethal injection when his death warrant expired before a divided U.S. Supreme Court voted early Friday to let the execution proceed. Justice Neil Gorsuch’s said judges should guard against efforts to use challenges to the method of execution “as tools to interpose …

Supreme Court says the execution of Alabama inmate can go forward hours after it was called off
5 years, 11 months ago

Supreme Court says the execution of Alabama inmate can go forward hours after it was called off

CNN  

CNN — The Supreme Court said early Friday that the execution of Alabama death row inmate Christopher Lee Price can go forward in the fourth major death penalty case this year that has justices feuding openly. In the unsigned order, the majority said that death row inmates in Alabama had the choice back in 2018 to elect to “be executed …

Death row inmate sues after ‘botched’ execution
7 years ago

Death row inmate sues after ‘botched’ execution

CNN  

Story highlights A death row inmate whose execution was "botched and bloody" is asking not to be put to death His attorneys cite cruel and unusual punishment and double jeopardy in court filings CNN — An Alabama death row inmate whose execution went wrong is asking that his death sentence be vacated. In two civil actions filed Wednesdaywith the Alabama …

Alabama’s aborted execution was ‘botched and bloody,’ lawyer says
7 years, 1 month ago

Alabama’s aborted execution was ‘botched and bloody,’ lawyer says

CNN  

Story highlights The execution was halted because of legal deadline pressure, prison chief says Inmate "wanted to die rather than that continue going on," his attorney says CNN — A federal judge has ordered Alabama prison officials to preserve all evidence related to an aborted execution, including the clothing the inmate wore, following an unsuccessful lethal injection attempt that the …

Alabama Likely To Botch The Execution Of An Already Dying Man
7 years, 1 month ago

Alabama Likely To Botch The Execution Of An Already Dying Man

Huff Post  

UPDATE, Feb. 23, 2018, 1:25 a.m.: The Alabama Department of Corrections has called off Hamm’s execution. UPDATE, Feb. 22, 2018, 6 p.m.: The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay of execution in the case of Doyle Lee Hamm, according to Alabama media. His age and advanced cranial and lymphatic cancer make it likely his execution will result in …

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