Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 7.3.24
Governor Ivey set 7.18.24 as the execution date by lethal injection for Keith Edmund Gavin. Gavin’s attorney had asked the court not to authorize the execution, arguing the state was moving Gavin to the “front of the line” ahead of other inmates who had exhausted their appeals. Talking Points are at: https://www.phadp.org/execution-alert-keith-edmund-gavin-7-18-24/ and most importantly, please sign the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-keith-gavin-in-alabama
Governor Ivey set 9.26.24 as the execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt. On Friday Miller’s attorneys asked a federal judge for a preliminary injunction to stop the execution from going forward, or to at least require the state change the protocol. Alabama uses an industrial-type gas mask to force an inmate to breathe pure nitrogen, depriving him or her of the oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions. Talking Points are at: https://www.phadp.org/execution-alert-alan-eugene-miller-9-26-24/ and most importantly please sign the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-alan-miller-in-alabama
The attorney general’s office asked the Alabama Supreme Court to authorize an execution date for Carey Dale Grayson using nitrogen hypoxia. “It is disappointing that the State wants to schedule a third nitrogen hypoxia execution before the question of whether the first one tortured Kenneth Smith has been resolved,” John Palombi, an attorney with the Federal Defenders Program wrote in an email.
Breaking News from Witness to Innocence: “U.S. Reaches 200th Exoneration from Death Row” which raises the question how many innocent people have been executed?
As a follow up on last week’s good news Austin Sarat writes in the Slate “Connecticut May Have figured Out a Way to Halt Executions in Texas”.” Soon, the state will have a chance to do what no other abolitionist state has done. In its next legislative session, Connecticut will consider a bill that would ban the sale of drugs or materials for use in an execution by any business in the state.”
It has become our custom to show our solidarity by holding a vigil whenever there is an execution in other states. Last week we did it twice, TX and OK.
Leading up to July 4th it has been our tradition to compete in tournaments. Outside the choices are basketball, volleyball and weightlifting. Inside there is dominoes, chess, checkers, scrabble and spade to challenge us as individuals.
We thank all who are working so hard and diligently to stop all killing in Alabama! And as always in closing, we thank all our generous donors who either gave by going to our website and using the “donate” button or who gave directly. Thank you also to all who took the time to read our notes, commented, liked and shared them on Facebook. Stay safe and be kind to each other!
Esther
