Alabama Executes Third Man Through Nitrogen Hypoxia Method

Alabama executed Carey Dale Grayson using nitrogen hypoxia, marking the third time this controversial method has been employed in the state.

At a Glance

Carey Dale Grayson was executed in Alabama for a 1994 murder using nitrogen hypoxia.
Nitrogen hypoxia involves breathing nitrogen gas through a mask, depriving the person of oxygen.
Concerns exist about potential prolonged suffering and unconstitutional pain with this method.
Grayson was convicted for the murder of Vickie Deblieux, committed when he was 19.
Alabama is currently the only U.S. state to use nitrogen gas for executions.

Grayson’s Crime and Conviction

In 1994, Carey Dale Grayson, then 19, along with three other teenagers, committed a heinous crime that would lead to his eventual execution. The group attacked and killed Vickie Deblieux, a hitchhiker, before throwing her body off a cliff and later mutilating it. This act resulted in Grayson receiving a death sentence, while his juvenile co-defendants had their sentences commuted to life in prison.

The case shocked the state of Alabama and left a lasting impact on the victim’s family. Governor Kay Ivey, in a statement following the execution, emphasized the severity of Grayson’s actions:

Controversial Execution Method

Grayson’s execution, carried out at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, employed the method of nitrogen hypoxia. This procedure involves the inmate breathing pure nitrogen through a mask, effectively depriving them of oxygen. Alabama developed this protocol due to ongoing issues with lethal injection, making it the first and only state to use this method for capital punishment.

The use of nitrogen hypoxia has sparked intense debate among human rights groups, medical experts, and legal professionals. Concerns have been raised about the potential for prolonged suffering and the possibility that the method may violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

Legal Challenges and Execution Proceedings

Despite last-minute legal challenges, including appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, Grayson’s execution proceeded as scheduled. His lawyers argued that the nitrogen hypoxia method could cause “conscious suffocation” and terror, violating both state law and the U.S. Constitution. However, these arguments were ultimately rejected by the courts.

During his final moments, Grayson reportedly cursed at the warden and made obscene gestures before showing physical reactions to the gas. He was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m.

Carey Dale Grayson executed in Alabama in hiker's murder; 3rd nitrogen gas execution in US https://t.co/FsN1GcspZE

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 22, 2024

Ongoing Controversy and Debate

The use of nitrogen hypoxia for executions continues to be a source of intense controversy. Alabama remains the only state to have employed this method, although Oklahoma and Mississippi have authorized its use. Critics argue that the procedure is experimental and potentially inhumane, with previous executions showing signs of distress in the prisoners. However, its supporters argue that it is a humane and effective form of execution.

As the debate over capital punishment and execution methods continues, Carey Dale Grayson’s case serves as a focal point for discussions about justice, punishment, and the ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions. The use of nitrogen hypoxia in Alabama will likely face ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges as the state moves forward with this controversial method.