Alabama executes Carey Dale Grayson using nitrogen gas as the method

Alabama inmate Carey Dale Grayson, convicted of murder in 1994, died in the state’s third nitrogen hypoxia execution this year, despite concerns about prolonged suffering and pain. Grayson was executed for the abduction and killing of Vickie Deblieux, expressing remorse in his final statement. Protesters had sought clemency from Gov. Kay Ivey, but she did not intervene.The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Grayson’s lawyers’ arguments regarding nitrogen gas execution, similar to previous executions in Alabama that were marked by struggles. Alabama has paused and re-evaluated its lethal injection protocol, offering nitrogen hypoxia in addition. Concerns have been raised about the use of nitrogen in executions, such as causing slow asphyxiation, vomiting, and prolonged suffering. Grayson’s execution marked the sixth in Alabama this year, in a case where he and three teenage friends abused and killed Deblieux, with Grayson receiving the death penalty while his co-defendants received life sentences.There have been concerns about the effectiveness and potential risks of nitrogen hypoxia in executions, as states have searched for alternatives to lethal injection. Critics argue that prolonged suffering and added pain could violate the Eighth Amendment. Despite these concerns, Grayson’s execution proceeded without intervention, with the Alabama Attorney General stating that justice had been served for Deblieux’s family.

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