The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) announced on Tuesday that it would proceed to carry out the nitrogen hypoxia execution of Gregory Hunt, who was convicted in 1990 of the rape and murder of a Walker County woman two years prior.
Earlier this month, the Alabama Supreme Court approved Hunt’s execution, and Gov. Kay Ivey announced that the execution window would start at midnight on Tuesday, June 10, and expire on Wednesday, June 11. Hunt will be the second person executed by nitrogen hypoxia this year.
The process involves the condemned person wearing a mask where their breathed oxygen is replaced with nitrogen gas until they pass away. The execution will take place at the William Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
In the early morning hours of August 2, 1988, Karen Lane was brutally murdered in the apartment she shared with another young woman, Hunt’s cousin.
Court records state Hunt and Land were dating for about one month before her death. That evening before the murder, Hunt allegedly attempted to track Lang’s location for hours after the pair had a fight.
A witness describes seeing Hunt enter and leave Lane’s apartment in the early morning hours, between loud noises coming from the home.
Hunt was charged with intentional murder during the sexual abuse of a victim incapable of consent, intentional murder during sexual abuse by forcible compulsion and intentional murder during a burglary.
The jury recommended 11-1 that Hunt be sentenced to death. The circuit court followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Hunt to death. Hunt's conviction and death sentence were later affirmed on direct appeal.
According to the testimony of Dr. Joseph Embry of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Lane sustained a total of 60 injuries which included: 20 injuries to the head; 12 fractured ribs on the left side and 12 fractured ribs on the right side; her breast bone was fractured; she sustained bruises in her heart; three tears to her liver; bruises to the lungs; a three-quarter-inch tear to the aorta; a bruised pancreas; and, bleeding in the muscles to the side of the neck.
Examiners also found evidence that Lane was forced to commit sex acts and had a broom handle used to further sexually assault her. Hunt also allegedly confessed to his crime to multiple people.
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