Death Row Executions in the United States: Lethal Injection and Nitrogen Gas Used for the Second Time

A man was put to death by lethal injection on Thursday in the US state of Oklahoma, and another by nitrogen gas in Alabama, sparking controversy and international concern.

Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, was executed by lethal injection in Oklahoma for the murder of 31-year-old Kenneth Meers during a convenience store robbery in 1992. While Littlejohn was present at the scene, he denied being the one who shot Meers. His accomplice, Glenn Bethany, received life imprisonment. In August, the State Board of Pardons recommended a commutation of Littlejohn’s sentence, but Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt denied the request. Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the execution brought justice to Meers’ family.

Meanwhile, in Alabama, 59-year-old Alan Miller was put to death over a 1999 workplace shooting spree that killed three colleagues. The execution used nitrogen gas, a method that was previously used for the first time in January. Miller struggled against his restraints for two minutes before suffocating, sparking concern about the potential for pain and suffering.

The White House, the European Union, and the United Nations have all spoken out against Alabama’s use of nitrogen gas, describing it as a form of torture. In September 2022, a previous attempt to execute Miller using lethal injection was called off due to technical difficulties.

The United States has the highest number of executions globally, with 18 taking place so far this year. However, the death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the country’s 50 states. Six other states have implemented a moratorium on executions.

These developments highlight the ongoing controversy surrounding capital punishment in the United States and the debate about the methods used to carry out executions. As the country grapples with the issues surrounding the death penalty, international concerns are growing.