Alabama is set to carry out its second nitrogen gas execution, sparking debates over the humaneness of this new method of capital punishment. Alan Eugene Miller, 59, is scheduled to be executed at a south Alabama prison for the murders of three men in 1999.
The nitrogen gas execution involves placing a respirator gas mask over the inmate's face to induce death by lack of oxygen. The first nitrogen gas execution in Alabama took place in January with some controversy over the perceived pain suffered by the inmate.
Alabama officials defend the method as reliable and humane, while opponents argue for further scrutiny before its continued use. Despite concerns raised, the state has scheduled a third nitrogen execution for November.
Miller, a delivery truck driver, was convicted of killing three men in back-to-back workplace shootings in Pelham. The shootings shocked the community, leading to his capital murder conviction.
Initially attempting lethal injection, Alabama faced challenges due to the inmate's size, prompting the switch to nitrogen gas. Miller had raised concerns about the execution method but later dropped his lawsuit after reaching a settlement with the state.
While the terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, Miller's attorney emphasized protecting his client's constitutional rights. The upcoming execution has drawn petitions urging the governor to intervene, amidst a surge in scheduled executions in the state.
As Alabama readies for another nitrogen gas execution, the ongoing debate over the method's humaneness and effectiveness continues to divide opinions among advocates and opponents of the death penalty.
