Judge refuses to block nation's third scheduled nitrogen execution

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 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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A judge has refused to stop the nation’s third scheduled execution by nitrogen gas that is set to take place in Alabama later this month. U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. on Wednesday denied a preliminary injunction request to block Alabama from executing Carey Dale Grayson on Nov. 21 using the same nitrogen gas protocol. The execution method involves placing a respirator gas mask over the inmate’s face to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen. Huffaker said the “evidence concerning what actually happened, or what eyewitnesses observed during the Smith execution, was conflicting and inconsistent.” “But what that evidence did show was that the nitrogen hypoxia protocol was successful and resulted in death in less than 10 minutes and loss of consciousness in even less time,” Huffaker wrote.