The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Alabama’s attempt to proceed with an execution using nitrogen gas after a lower court deemed the method unconstitutional. The justices upheld an injunction preventing the state from carrying out the ninth nitrogen gas execution in the country, saving death row inmate Jeffery Lee from facing that fate.
Alabama Department of Corrections confirmed the execution was halted for the evening, with no plans to pursue an alternative method. The Supreme Court’s decision, with a 6-3 vote, lacked an explanation. Notably, three conservative justices expressed dissent, advocating for the execution to proceed.
Governor Kay Ivey expressed disappointment at the court’s decision but reiterated a commitment to justice for the victims. Lee’s legal team welcomed the ruling, highlighting the jury’s initial life sentence recommendation that was overridden by a judge.
The legal battle over the constitutionality of the execution method culminated in this decision. Lee’s challenge to Alabama’s protocol as cruel and unusual punishment led to conflicting court rulings, ultimately resulting in the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Lee’s attorneys successfully argued against the method, emphasizing its unconstitutional nature. The state’s attorney’s office warned of the potential repercussions of a permanent ban on the execution method, citing constitutional concerns.
The inmate’s last meal consisted of potato chips, Skittles, water, and a soft drink, as he awaited a potential execution. The state still has the option to proceed with other approved methods, such as the electric chair or lethal injection.
Alabama had introduced nitrogen gas for executions in 2024, defending its constitutionality despite concerns about the method’s potential suffering. Lee’s conviction for the murders at a pawnshop in 1998 led to the legal battle surrounding his sentence, supported by calls for commutation from notable figures like John Grisham.
