Judge Allows Alabama's 3rd Nitrogen Gas Execution

An Alabama judge has ruled against halting the nation's upcoming third nitrogen gas execution, scheduled for November 21. US District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. denied Carey Dale Grayson's request to block the execution, citing insufficient legal grounds to prove that nitrogen gas is unconstitutionally brutal. Huffaker described Grayson's evidence as "speculation, a speculative parade of highly unlikely events, and scientific controversy at best."

Attorney John Palombi confirmed plans to appeal the decision. This execution method, which involves using a gas mask to replace oxygen with nitrogen, has faced criticism for allegedly not ensuring a swift death. During two prior nitrogen gas executions in Alabama, inmates reportedly shook on gurneys for several minutes. Judge Huffaker acknowledged conflicting accounts but noted the method resulted in death in under 10 minutes "and loss of consciousness in even less time."

Grayson was convicted in the 1994 murder of Vickie Deblieux; his co-defendants were spared the death penalty due to a Supreme Court ruling against executing those who were minors during their offenses. Grayson was 19 at the time. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)