The State of Alabama successfully executed Alan Eugene Miller Thursday night, marking the second-ever use of nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method in the United States.
The State attempted to execute Miller in September 2023 by lethal injection but called it off after officials stated they struggled to find a vein. The execution was attempted the same day the Supreme Court gave the state the green light.
Since then, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) overhauled its execution protocols, and Gov. Kay Ivey changed the death warrant timeframe to prevent future delays. The state has not had to call off an execution since then.
Miller was convicted of murdering three coworkers in a shooting rampage. A defense psychiatrist said Miller was delusional and suffered from severe mental illness, which caused him to believe his coworkers were spreading rumors about his sexual orientation.
Miller sued to stop his execution by nitrogen hypoxia, the method he initially chose under state law. He later agreed to drop his suit and settle with the State.
“Justice has been served,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall. “After two decades, Alan Miller was finally put to death for a depraved murder spree that cruelly took the lives of three innocent men: Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Yancy, and Terry Jarvis.”
“I ask the people of Alabama to join me in praying for the families and friends of the victims, that they might now find peace and closure.”
Miller was the second person to be executed using the new method, which replaces oxygen with nitrogen, causing the inmate to die. The first was Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was executed in January.
Miller was pronounced dead by physicians at Holman Correctional Facility at 6:38 p.m. on Thursday. Witnesses described Miller “writhing and flinching” as the gas began to flow. ADOC commissioner reportedly called the movements “expected” and involuntary.
Ivey applauded the successful execution, saying “justice was finally served.”
“Just as Alan Miller cowardly fled after he maliciously committed three calculated murders in 1999, he has attempted to escape justice for two decades,” Ivey said. “Tonight, justice was finally served for these three victims through the execution method elected by the inmate. His acts were not that of insanity, but pure evil. Three families were forever changed by his heinous crimes, and I pray that they can find comfort all these years later.”
Ivey has already scheduled the next nitrogen hypoxia execution for November for Carey Dale Grayson, 49, who kidnapped and murdered a female hitchhiker in 1994, along with several accomplices.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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