execution

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SCOTUS Unanimously Declines to Stop Execution

Willie James Pye is first inmate executed in Georgia since early 2020

(Newser) - 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. Willie James Pye, 59, received an injection of the sedative pentobarbital and was pronounced dead at 11:03pm at...

Case Highlights a Quirk in Georgia's Death Penalty

The state requires intellectual disability be proved 'beyond a reasonable doubt'

(Newser) - Georgia is planning its first execution in more than four years this month—as activists petition for it to be halted. Willie James Pye is set to be put to death on March 20 for the November 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. Georgians for Alternatives to the Death...

New Louisiana Law Allows 2 More Execution Methods
Louisiana Nixes
Most Future
Parole
Mar 8, 2024 1:55 PM CST

Louisiana Nixes Most Future Parole

New law applies to anyone convicted after Aug. 1; another bill allows for 2 more execution methods

(Newser) - As Louisiana's attorney general last year, Jeff Landry pushed back hard against efforts to commute the sentences of the state's death row inmates. As governor, the Republican signed a bill this week to allow two more execution methods in the state, NOLA.com reports. "This is what...

Texas Inmate's Last Words: I Didn't Do It

Ivan Cantu has long claimed he didn't kill his cousin, cousin's girlfriend

(Newser) - A Texas man who had long claimed his conviction more than 20 years ago was based on false testimony and questionable evidence was executed Wednesday for fatally shooting two people, including his cousin, the AP reports. Ivan Cantu received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:47pm at...

Idaho Abandons Execution Attempt After an Hour

Lawyers say they're angered, but not surprised that state 'botched' execution of Thomas Creech

(Newser) - On Wednesday, Idaho attempted to carry out its first execution in almost 12 years . It did not go smoothly. Prison officials say the attempt to execute 73-year-old serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech by lethal injection was abandoned after almost an hour because the medical team was unable to establish an...

One of Longest-Serving Death Row Inmates Set to Die Today

Thomas Eugene Creech has been imprisoned since 1974

(Newser) - The hour of Thomas Eugene Creech's death has been set, and it is rapidly approaching. On Wednesday morning, Idaho prison officials will ask the 73-year-old if he would like a mild sedative to help calm him before his execution at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution south of Boise. Then,...

A New State Considers Controversial Execution Method

Ohio could join Alabama, which was the first to use nitrogen method

(Newser) - Another state could soon join Alabama in using a controversial new execution method. Ohio, where executions have been paused since 2018 due to problems obtaining lethal injection drugs, is considering the use of nitrogen gas executions, USA Today reports. Two Republican state representatives have introduced legislation that would allow death...

Smith Execution Took 22 Minutes
Alabama Execution
Took 22 Minutes
THE RUNDOWN
Jan 26, 2024 6:37 AM CST

Alabama Execution Took 22 Minutes

Kenneth Smith appeared to remain conscious for minutes during world's first execution by nitrogen gas

(Newser) - Before Alabama inmate Kenneth Smith was put to death in the world's first nitrogen gas execution , officials predicted that the gas would cause him to lose consciousness in seconds. That wasn't what happened in the death chamber Thursday night. The AP reports that "Smith appeared to remain...

Horror Screenwriter Dreamed Up Untried Execution Method
Horror Screenwriter Dreamed
Up Untried Execution Method
the rundown
Jan 25, 2024 11:38 AM CST

Horror Screenwriter Dreamed Up Untried Execution Method

Nitrogen hypoxia to be tested in US first despite claims of cruelty

(Newser) - The US could see its first execution with nitrogen gas Thursday after the Supreme Court and 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals both declined a request for a stay Wednesday. The Supreme Court didn't comment, while the Court of Appeals said Kenneth Smith, convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying...

SCOTUS Declines to Block 'Experimental' Execution

Kenneth Eugene Smith is scheduled to be executed with nitrogen gas Thursday

(Newser) - The Supreme Court has declined to halt what will be the first-ever US execution by nitrogen gas if it goes ahead as scheduled Thursday evening. The court denied Alabama inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith's request for a stay of execution Wednesday, CNN reports. Lawyers for the 58-year-old convicted murderer argued...

Inmate's Spiritual Adviser: Protection Needed for Nitrogen Execution

Nitrogen gas could present a problem in the case of a leak

(Newser) - The spiritual adviser for an Alabama prisoner set to be the first person executed with nitrogen gas has asked the state prison system to provide additional precautions to ensure the safety of bystanders and witnesses at the execution, the AP reports. The Rev. Jeff Hood, who will stand near Kenneth...

US' First Nitrogen Execution Can Go Forward: Judge

Kenneth Eugene Smith's attorneys say they will appeal

(Newser) - Alabama will be allowed to put an inmate to death with nitrogen gas later this month, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, clearing the way for what would be the nation's first execution under a new method the inmate's lawyers criticize as cruel and experimental, the AP reports. US...

UN Experts Call to Stop Alabama Inmate's Execution

Independent monitors with group are 'alarmed' nitrogen gas will be used to execute Kenneth Smith

(Newser) - An Alabama inmate's scheduled execution by nitrogen gas later this month, which would be the first-ever execution by this method in the US, is now receiving pushback from the United Nations. The Guardian reports that four independent UN monitors have issued a joint statement on the plan for Jan....

UN Has Harsh Words for Iran Over Child's Execution

Country reportedly put a 17-year-old to death on Friday

(Newser) - The UN had harsh words for Iran on Tuesday over the country's decision to execute two young people last Friday. "We deplore the executions," Elizabeth Throssell, a rep for the UN Human Rights Office, said in a statement in reference to the deaths of Hamidreza Azari, 17,...

In Last Words, Inmate Takes Jab at Executioner

Alabama inmate Casey McWhorter brought up domestic violence allegations

(Newser) - An Alabama inmate convicted of killing a man during a 1993 robbery when he was a teenager was executed Thursday by lethal injection. Casey McWhorter, 49, was pronounced dead at 6:56pm at a southwest Alabama prison, authorities said. McWhorter was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for...

Death Row Inmate Doesn&#39;t Want to Be &#39;Test Subject&#39;
Alabama's Top Court
OKs New Execution Method
UPDATED
Nov 2, 2023 7:24 AM CDT

Alabama's Top Court OKs New Execution Method

Decision clears the way for state to execute Kenneth Smith with nitrogen gas

(Newser) - A divided Alabama Supreme Court said the state can execute an inmate with nitrogen gas, a method that has not previously been used to carry out a death sentence in the US. The all-Republican court in a 6-2 decision Wednesday granted the state attorney general's request for an execution...

With Less Than 5 Hours to Go, Texas Court Halts Execution

Victim's sister asked state to spare the life of William Speer

(Newser) - Texas' top criminal appeals court stopped Thursday evening's scheduled execution of an inmate who had been condemned for killing another prisoner more than 26 years ago. The victim's sister and religious leaders had recently asked authorities to spare the life of William Speer, 49. His attorneys had asked...

Judge: Fire Didn&#39;t Hurt Execution Drugs
Texas Executes Man Who
Questioned Safety of Drugs
UPDATED
Oct 11, 2023 12:15 AM CDT

Texas Executes Man Who Questioned Safety of Drugs

Jedidiah Murphy apologized to victim's family before he was put to death

(Newser) - A Texas man who unsuccessfully challenged the safety of the state's lethal injection drugs and raised questions about evidence used to persuade a jury to sentence him to death for killing an elderly woman decades ago was executed late Tuesday, the AP reports. Jedidiah Murphy, 48, was pronounced dead...

Florida Executes Man Who Killed Women He Met in Bars

Michael Zack killed 2 women in 2 days

(Newser) - A man who killed two women after meeting them a day apart in north Florida bars in 1996 was put to death Tuesday evening. Michael Zack III, 54, was pronounced dead following a lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Starke. The execution started promptly at 6pm. Zack was asked...

South Carolina Gets Its Hands on Death Penalty Drug

State has obtained pentobarbital to carry out lethal injections, will resume executions after 12 years

(Newser) - South Carolina has obtained a drug needed to carry out lethal injections and is ready to perform the state's first execution in over 12 years, officials announced Tuesday. South Carolina used to be one of the most prolific states in the nation when it came to putting inmates to...

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