The Alabama Supreme Court brought about a rule change on Thursday that will allow the governor to set a time frame for execution warrants in the state.
Previously, the Alabama Supreme Court set the execution date for a specific day. That day was the only day the execution warrants were valid.
According to reports, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey requested to change court rules pertaining to executions late last year.
However, though she suggested an extended time frame, she did not request that she would be the one to set it. Instead, according to WRBL, She asked that the Commissioner of Corrections assign a new execution date if the execution warrant passes or there is a delay in the execution process due to a stay of execution.
Ivey communications director Gina Maiola released the following statement about the rule change:
“I view this as a win for justice. As we initially interpret the order, it secures an extended time frame, which was a primary request of the governor’s. Our team plans to put our heads together with ADOC officials to more closely review the order. We remain in discussion with ADOC’s team as the execution procedure review process continues, and we look forward to the resolution in the near future.”
The rule change follows several botched lethal injections, including that of Kenneth Eugene Smith, a convict serving time for murdering for hire who was the subject state’s second failed execution in 2022. Earlier that year, the Alabama Department of Corrections called off Alan Eugene Miller’s execution after officials failed to establish an IV line.
Currently, there are 166 inmates in Alabama awaiting executions. Ivey halted all executions in the state in November so that an internal review of the execution process could be conducted.
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