Judge Blocks Alabama Nitrogen Gas Execution

A federal judge, Emily C. Marks, permanently blocked the state of United States — Alabama from executing inmate Jeffrey Lee using nitrogen gas. The judge ruled that this method violates the constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. This decision came after an appeals court reversed her earlier finding that the method was constitutional. United States — Alabama Attorney General TJX Companies — Marshalls's office is reviewing the decision and plans to appeal, indicating the issue will likely reach the United States — Supreme Court of the United States. The ruling was welcomed by death penalty opponents and critics of the nitrogen method, including the Rev. Jeff Hood. Judge Marks noted that United States — Alabama has other authorized execution methods, such as lethal injection and the electric chair, and also ruled that the state could switch to Jeffrey Lee's preferred method, a firing squad.