Latest news with #nitrogengas
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Alabama sets August nitrogen execution for man convicted of 1992 shooting death
Alabama has scheduled an August execution with nitrogen gas for a man convicted three decades ago of shooting a woman in the head while she slept. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set a Aug. 21 execution date for David Lee Roberts after the Alabama Supreme Court authorized the execution. If carried out, it would be the nation's seventh execution by nitrogen gas, a method Alabama began using last year as an alternative to lethal injection. Roberts, 59, was convicted of killing Annetra Jones in 1992 while a houseguest at Jones' boyfriend's home in Marion County. There have been 25 executions so far in 2025 in the United States. Prosecutors said on the afternoon of April 22, 1992, Roberts came to the home, packed his belongings, stole money and shot Jones three times in the head with a .22 caliber rifle while she slept on the couch. Prosecutors said he poured gasoline or another flammable liquid on the floor and Jones' body and set fire to the home to hide evidence. A jury convicted Roberts of capital murder. Jurors voted 7-5 to recommend that he receive life in prison without possibility of parole. A judge overrode the recommendation and sentenced him to death. Alabama no longer allows a judge to override a jury's sentence in capital cases. The Alabama Supreme Court authorized Roberts' execution at the request of the state attorney general's office, which argued he has exhausted his appeals. Roberts' attorney had asked for a delay, arguing that Roberts, who has a paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis, is 'probably incompetent to be executed' and should have an evaluation. The U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited the execution of a prisoner who is insane and not aware of his impending execution and of the reasons for it. Roberts has a well-established history of psychotic illness, and his mental health has deteriorated after decades on Alabama's death row, his lawyer wrote. A doctor diagnosed him in February with paranoid schizophrenia. 'On February 17, 2025, an ADOC psychologist who saw Mr. Roberts cell-side noted that he was 'hearing voices,' ranting, thinking illogically, and delusional,'" a lawyer representing Roberts wrote in court filing. The state acknowledged that prison records indicate Roberts has been diagnosed with various mental illnesses but argued that doesn't mean he is incompetent. 'Roberts may well have a mental disease, but that doesn't mean he is unaware of his situation or incapable of trying to prevent his execution,' a state lawyer wrote. Last year Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas, a method that involves pumping nitrogen through a face mask and depriving the inmate of oxygen. The method has now been used in six executions — five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Roberts selected nitrogen as his preferred execution method over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair. He made the selection before Alabama developed procedures for the method.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Alabama sets August nitrogen execution for man convicted of 1992 shooting death
Alabama has scheduled an August execution with nitrogen gas for a man convicted three decades ago of shooting a woman in the head while she slept. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set a Aug. 21 execution date for David Lee Roberts after the Alabama Supreme Court authorized the execution. If carried out, it would be the nation's seventh execution by nitrogen gas, a method Alabama began using last year as an alternative to lethal injection. Roberts, 59, was convicted of killing Annetra Jones in 1992 while a houseguest at Jones' boyfriend's home in Marion County. There have been 25 executions so far in 2025 in the United States. Prosecutors said on the afternoon of April 22, 1992, Roberts came to the home, packed his belongings, stole money and shot Jones three times in the head with a .22 caliber rifle while she slept on the couch. Prosecutors said he poured gasoline or another flammable liquid on the floor and Jones' body and set fire to the home to hide evidence. A jury convicted Roberts of capital murder. Jurors voted 7-5 to recommend that he receive life in prison without possibility of parole. A judge overrode the recommendation and sentenced him to death. Alabama no longer allows a judge to override a jury's sentence in capital cases. The Alabama Supreme Court authorized Roberts' execution at the request of the state attorney general's office, which argued he has exhausted his appeals. Roberts' attorney had asked for a delay, arguing that Roberts, who has a paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis, is 'probably incompetent to be executed' and should have an evaluation. The U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited the execution of a prisoner who is insane and not aware of his impending execution and of the reasons for it. Roberts has a well-established history of psychotic illness, and his mental health has deteriorated after decades on Alabama's death row, his lawyer wrote. A doctor diagnosed him in February with paranoid schizophrenia. 'On February 17, 2025, an ADOC psychologist who saw Mr. Roberts cell-side noted that he was 'hearing voices,' ranting, thinking illogically, and delusional,'' a lawyer representing Roberts wrote in court filing. The state acknowledged that prison records indicate Roberts has been diagnosed with various mental illnesses but argued that doesn't mean he is incompetent. 'Roberts may well have a mental disease, but that doesn't mean he is unaware of his situation or incapable of trying to prevent his execution,' a state lawyer wrote. Last year Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas, a method that involves pumping nitrogen through a face mask and depriving the inmate of oxygen. The method has now been used in six executions — five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Roberts selected nitrogen as his preferred execution method over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair. He made the selection before Alabama developed procedures for the method.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- The Sun
Death row killer made chilling last hand gesture before being suffocated to death & left convulsing in 4 minute ordeal
A DEATH row killer was seen making a chilling last hand gesture before being executed by nitrogen gas. Gregory Hunt, 65, was strapped to a chair with a blue-rimmed mask covering his entire face before he was put to death at a south Alabama prison. Hunt, who was convicted of killing a woman in 1988, did not give any final words. However, he appeared to give a thumbs-up sign and a peace sign with his fingers shortly before prison authorities blasted nitrogen at his face. The method involves forcing an inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas, depriving them of the oxygen needed to stay alive. Hunt was left convulsing for four minutes before authorities declared him dead. He briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the chair. He then let out a moan and raised his feet. The killer took a series of gasping breaths with long pauses in between before dying. Prison authorities said the movements throughout the four-minute ordeal were expected. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said: "What I saw has been consistent with all the other nitrogen hypoxia executions. There is involuntary body movement." But critics say they show that the execution method does not provide a quick death. Hunt killed 32-year-old Karen Lane inside her own apartment in 1988 after dating her for about a month. Louisiana puts man to death in state s first nitrogen gas execution Prosecutors said that after becoming enraged with jealousy, he broke into Lane's apartment and sexually abused her and beat her to death, inflicting 60 injuries on her body. Jurors convicted him in 1990 and recommended a death sentence by an 11-1 vote. Lane's family, who also witnessed the execution, said that the night was not about Hunt's life but rather her horrific death. They said Hunt showed her no mercy in 1988 and savagely took Lane away from them. They added: "This is also not about closure or victory. This night represents justice and the end of a nightmare that has coursed through our family for 37 years." Hunt was among the longest-serving inmates on Alabama's death row. The US Supreme Court denied Hunt's request for a stay about three hours before the execution began. Hunt argued that prosecutors misled jurors about the evidence of sexual abuse, a claim the Alabama attorney general's office called meritless. On the day of his execution, he had a lunch tray that included bologna, black-eyed peas, carrots and fruit punch, prison officials said. Hunt declined to have a dinner meal. Last year, Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas. The method has now been used in six executions, five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Hunt selected nitrogen over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair, before Alabama developed procedures for the method. Hunt's was one of two executions carried out Tuesday in the country. In Florida, Anthony Wainwright, 54, died by lethal injection for the April 1994 killing of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student and mother of two young children, in Lake City. US death penalty laws THE death penalty in the United States is governed by both federal and state laws. Its legality and application can vary depending on the jurisdiction. The federal government allows the death penalty for certain crimes such as terrorism, espionage, treason, large-scale drug trafficking, and murder of a federal official or law enforcement officer. The Federal Death Penalty Act (1994) provides the legal framework for death penalty procedures in federal cases, outlining offenses that are eligible for capital punishment and procedural protections for defendants. As of now, 24 states permit the death penalty, while 23 have abolished it or have moratoriums. Each state has its own laws regarding which crimes are punishable by death, usually limited to first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances (e.g., multiple murders, killing a police officer, or murder during a violent crime like robbery). Lethal injection is the most common method of execution across the U.S., but some states have alternative methods, such as the electric chair, gas chamber, hanging, or firing squad, as secondary options or by choice of the condemned. Some states have imposed moratoriums (temporary halts) on executions, such as California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, even though the death penalty remains legal in those states. There has been a growing trend toward abolition, as public opinion has shifted, concerns about wrongful convictions have arisen, and the costs of death penalty cases have increased. Death penalty cases involve a complex and lengthy appeals process, which includes automatic appeals to higher courts. This process is designed to ensure that convictions are accurate and that no constitutional rights were violated during the trial. Defendants in capital cases are afforded specific protections, such as the right to effective legal counsel and mental health evaluations.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Death row inmate made haunting final hand symbol before being executed for killing a woman
An Alabama man who was executed yesterday for the 1988 murder of a woman made a chilling final hand gesture before being put to death with nitrogen gas. Gregory Hunt, 65, was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. on Tuesday at a south Alabama prison, authorities said, one of four scheduled this week in the United States. Hunt was convicted of capital murder for the killing of Karen Lane, who was 32 when she was killed on Aug. 2, 1988, in the Cordova apartment she shared with another woman in Walker County. Strapped to a gurney with a blue-rimmed mask covering his entire face, Hunt gave no final words but appeared to give a thumbs-up sign and a peace sign with his fingers. The gas began flowing sometime after 5:55 p.m., but it was not clear exactly when. At 5:57 p.m. Hunt briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the gurney. He let out a moan at about 5:59 p.m. and raised his feet. He took a series of four or more gasping breaths with long pauses in between, and made no visible movements after 6:05 p.m. The shaking movements and gasps were similar to previous nitrogen executions in Alabama. The execution method involves forcing an inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas, depriving them of the oxygen needed to stay alive. The state says the movements are expected, but critics say they show that the execution method does not provide a quick death. 'What I saw has been consistent with all the other nitrogen hypoxia executions. There is involuntary body movement,' Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said. Hunt had dated Lane for about a month. Prosecutors said that after becoming enraged with jealousy, he broke into Lane's apartment and sexually abused her and beat her to death, inflicting 60 injuries on her body. Jurors convicted him in 1990 and recommended a death sentence by an 11-1 vote. Several of Lane's relatives witnessed the execution, Hamm said. The family said in a statement that the night was not about Hunt's life but rather the 'horrific death of Karen Sanders Lane, whose life was so savagely taken from her.' They added that Hunt showed her no mercy in 1988. 'This is also not about closure or victory. This night represents justice and the end of a nightmare that has coursed through our family for 37 years,' the family said. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall called the execution 'a long-overdue moment of justice.' 'Karen was a young woman whose life was stolen in the most brutal and dehumanizing way imaginable,' Marshall said, adding, 'Gregory Hunt spent more time on death row than Karen spent alive.' Hunt was among the longest-serving inmates on Alabama's death row. He told The Associated Press last month that finding religion in prison helped him get 'free of my poisons and demons' and that he tried to help other inmates. He led a weekly Bible class since 1998, he said. 'Just trying to be a light in a dark place, trying to tell people if I can change, they can too ... become people of love instead of hate,' he said. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Hunt's request for a stay about three hours before the execution began. Hunt argued that prosecutors misled jurors about the evidence of sexual abuse, a claim the Alabama attorney general's office called meritless. Hunt declined to have a dinner meal. On the day of his execution, he had a lunch tray that included bologna, black-eyed peas, carrots and fruit punch, prison officials said. The Rev. Jeff Hood, a death penalty opponent who worked with Hunt, expressed sadness over his execution. 'Greg Hunt was my friend. I am devastated that Alabama saw fit to kill him,' Hood said. Last year Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas. The method has now been used in six executions — five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Hunt selected nitrogen over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair, before Alabama developed procedures for the method. Hunt's was o ne of two executions carried out Tuesday in the country. In Florida, Anthony Wainwright, 54, died by lethal injection for the April 1994 killing of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student and mother of two young children, in Lake City.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Alabama death row inmate Gregory Hunt is executed by nitrogen oxide for 1988 murder
An Alabama man convicted of killing a woman in 1988 was put to death Tuesday evening in the nation's sixth execution by nitrogen gas. Gregory Hunt, 65, was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. at a south Alabama prison, authorities said, one of four scheduled this week in the United States. Hunt was convicted of capital murder for the killing of Karen Lane, who was 32 when she was killed on Aug. 2, 1988, in the Cordova apartment she shared with another woman in Walker County. The execution method involves forcing an inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas, depriving them of the oxygen needed to stay alive. Strapped to a gurney with a blue-rimmed mask covering his entire face, Hunt gave no final words but appeared to give a thumbs-up sign and a peace sign with his fingers. The gas began flowing sometime after 5:55 p.m., but it was not clear exactly when. At 5:57 p.m. Hunt briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the gurney. He let out a moan at about 5:59 p.m. and raised his feet. He took a series of four or more gasping breaths with long pauses in between, and made no visible movements after 6:05 p.m. The shaking movements and gasps were similar to previous nitrogen executions in Alabama. The state says the movements are expected, but critics say they show that the execution method does not provide a quick death. 'What I saw has been consistent with all the other nitrogen hypoxia executions. There is involuntary body movement,' Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said. Hunt had dated Lane for about a month. Prosecutors said that after becoming enraged with jealousy, he broke into Lane's apartment and sexually abused her and beat her to death, inflicting 60 injuries on her body. Jurors convicted him in 1990 and recommended a death sentence by an 11-1 vote. Several of Lane's relatives witnessed the execution, Hamm said. The family said in a statement that the night was not about Hunt's life but rather the 'horrific death of Karen Sanders Lane, whose life was so savagely taken from her.' They added that Hunt showed her no mercy in 1988. 'This is also not about closure or victory. This night represents justice and the end of a nightmare that has coursed through our family for 37 years,' the family said. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall called the execution 'a long-overdue moment of justice.' 'Karen was a young woman whose life was stolen in the most brutal and dehumanizing way imaginable,' Marshall said, adding, 'Gregory Hunt spent more time on death row than Karen spent alive.' Hunt was among the longest-serving inmates on Alabama's death row. He told The Associated Press last month that finding religion in prison helped him get 'free of my poisons and demons' and that he tried to help other inmates. He led a weekly Bible class since 1998, he said. 'Just trying to be a light in a dark place, trying to tell people if I can change, they can too ... become people of love instead of hate,' he said. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Hunt's request for a stay about three hours before the execution began. Hunt argued that prosecutors misled jurors about the evidence of sexual abuse, a claim the Alabama attorney general's office called meritless. Hunt declined to have a dinner meal. On the day of his execution, he had a lunch tray that included bologna, black-eyed peas, carrots and fruit punch, prison officials said. The Rev. Jeff Hood, a death penalty opponent who worked with Hunt, expressed sadness over his execution. 'Greg Hunt was my friend. I am devastated that Alabama saw fit to kill him,' Hood said. Last year Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas. The method has now been used in six executions — five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Hunt selected nitrogen over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair, before Alabama developed procedures for the method. Hunt's was o ne of two executions carried out Tuesday in the country. In Florida, Anthony Wainwright, 54, died by lethal injection for the April 1994 killing of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student and mother of two young children, in Lake City.
