By Anna Barrett | Staff Writer
“This is the first time we have had that decision. It is of enormous significance. That is a meritorious decision.” - Robin M. Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, on the significance of federal court rulings that prevented an execution using nitrogen gas.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Ralph Chapoco
Federal courts earlier this month stopped Alabama from executing Jeffery Lee by nitrogen gas, finding that it created “air hunger” that went beyond constitutionally-permitted suffering in capital punishment. The ruling puts the future of the execution method in doubt in Alabama, but experts say the ruling may also discourage other states from adopting the method, which has caused convulsions and agonized breathing in those subjected to it.
ELECTIONS 2026
By Andrea Tinker
Fewer than half of voters who participated in May’s primary elections cast a ballot in last week’s primary runoff, which had some of the state’s highest offices and the U.S. Senate race. The absence of local races, according to local party chairs, contributed to low turnout.
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Alabama Republican gubernatorial nominee and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville was joined by Secretary of State Wes Allen in moving to dismiss a lawsuit that questions Tuberville’s eligibility for the executive office. The senator also requested a stay in discovery so that his Democratic opponent Doug Jones will not be able to use the information revealed in his campaign.
ICYMI
Report: Weapons were leading cause of death for Alabama children in 2024 | Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
Alabama Reentry Task Force to continue defining recidivism | Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector
Commentary: A prayer for the Alabama Statehouse | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
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