Alabama executed Alan Eugene Miller, a former delivery driver convicted in a workplace shooting spree in 2000, using nitrogen gas. This was only the second time in the United States that nitrogen was used for an execution, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Miller was executed at the state prison in Atmore after an execution squad struggled to do so by lethal injection two years prior. He was declared dead at 6:38 p.m. after being visibly affected by the process for about six minutes. The use of nitrogen in executions, cited as a “swift, painless and humane” method by State Attorney General Steve Marshall, has faced backlash from activists.
Miller initially challenged the use of nitrogen but later opted for this method after his previous execution was called off due to difficulties accessing a vein. His concerns about the fit of the mask over his face to breathe in the gas were highlighted in court documents released in July. Despite some controversy surrounding this method, the state has defended it as reliable and humane.
Miller’s execution concluded a wave of five executions over seven days across the country. The use of nitrogen has raised concerns about the potential for physical side effects and prolonged suffering during the execution process. Critics argue that regardless of the method used, the concept of humane executions remains questionable, with support for capital punishment on the decline among Americans.
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