Alan Miller, 59, second person in US to be executed via controversial technique, shook and trembled on gurney

Alan Miller shook and trembled on gurney after becoming second person to be executed by controversial technique

Alabama has carried out the second execution in the US using the controversial method of nitrogen gas, an experimental technique for humans that veterinarians have deemed unacceptable in the US and Europe for the euthanasia of most animals.

Alan Eugene Miller, 59, was pronounced dead on Thursday evening at a south Alabama prison. The lethal method involves being strapped to a gurney, where a respirator mask is applied to the face and pure nitrogen piped in. The resulting oxygen deprivation will cause death by asphyxia.

Miller shook and trembled on the gurney for about two minutes with his body at times pulling against the restraints, followed by about six minutes of gasping breathing, according to the Associated Press.

Miller’s death is the latest in an extraordinary week in the US in which five condemned men in five states are set to be killed over six days. Three prisoners have already been executed – on Friday South Carolina killed Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah in its first execution in 13 years, then on Tuesday Texas killed Travis Mullis and Missouri put to death Marcellus Williams.

  • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
    2·
    8 hours ago

    Due to blood being produced I believe that’s disqualified. Otherwise a .22 caliber bullet followed instantly by a .22 hollow point to both the brain and the heart simultaneously would be the fastest and most humane experience for the victim.

    However, very few people want to build and operate such a contraption.

      • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        7 hours ago

        the best answer I can find is that the Olympic committee protested that it would affect whether the Olympics would accept attendance in that city if they allowed it, maybe someone can do a deeper dive.

        Of why it’s coming back - a) Trump repopularized execution, b) Pfizer caved to public pressure to stop producing lethal injection drugs and c) electric chairs aren’t humane and suffer the same issue as firing squad that executioners suffer PTSD, it’s not very humane - being painful, long and often taking multiple attempts until the victim has a heart attack, which they of course experience and then die.

        It seems like the answer I can get is that nobody really likes killing people, those that do suffer PTSD, and the messier the method the more unpopular it is.

        Probably, with a bit of reflection, many people don’t actually like the death penalty when it comes to being present at it.