Supreme Court blocks Alabama's nitrogen execution, citing cruel punishment
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
From a news agency
In the courts
- The U.S. Supreme Court refused to allow Alabama to proceed with the execution of Jeffery Lee using nitrogen gas, upholding a lower court's ruling that the method is unconstitutionally cruel.
- The state had sought to lift an injunction blocking the execution, but the justices voted 6-3 against it, leaving Lee spared for the evening.
- Lee's legal team celebrated the decision, emphasizing that his jury had initially recommended a life sentence, while the state's Attorney General vowed to continue seeking justice for the victims.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined Alabama's request to execute Jeffery Lee by nitrogen gas, affirming a lower court's decision that the method constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The justices voted 6-3 to deny the state's attempt to lift an injunction that blocked the execution, which was scheduled for Thursday evening.
His jury voted for life. Two courts ruled the method unconstitutional. Today, the Constitution prevailed.
Lee, 49, was spared as the court issued a brief order after the planned start time for his execution. Alabama Department of Corrections confirmed the execution was off for the night and that no alternative method would be pursued. The majority offered no explanation for their decision, though Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented, stating they would have granted Alabama's request.
Lee's legal team hailed the Supreme Court's decision, highlighting that his jury had recommended a life sentence, a verdict later overruled by a judge. "His jury voted for life. Two courts ruled the method unconstitutional. Today, the Constitution prevailed," the team stated, urging Governor Ivey to uphold the jury's original verdict.
The State is prepared to do whatever is necessary to see Mr. Lee's lawful sentence carried out.
Conversely, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed disappointment, vowing to continue seeking justice for the victims, Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson, whom Lee was convicted of murdering. "Tonight's ruling is a miscarriage of justice, not for us, but for Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson, who Jeffery Lee brutally and senselessly murdered," Marshall said in a statement, emphasizing his thoughts were with the victims' families who were prepared to witness the execution.
Tonight's ruling is a miscarriage of justice, not for us, but for Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson, who Jeffery Lee brutally and senselessly murdered and left on the floor of their place of business.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
