Alabama executed a man using nitrogen gas for the second time on Thursday.
Alan Eugene Miller, 59, was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m. local time at a south Alabama prison, The Associated Press reported.
He was convicted of killing three men—Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis—in workplace shootings in 1999.
“I didn’t do anything to be in here,” Miller said in his final words, the AP reported. His words were at times muffled by the blue-rimmed gas mask that covered his face from forehead to chin.
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Miller asked his family and friends to “take care” of someone, but it was not clear whose name he said.
Alabama had tried to execute Miller via lethal injection in 2022, but the state called it off after being unable to connect an IV line. He initially challenged the nitrogen gas protocol but dropped his lawsuit in August after reaching a settlement with the state. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
He was one of five inmates executed over the past week, including Emmanuel Littlejohn who was also put to death on Thursday in Oklahoma. Their deaths brings the U.S. to 1,600 executions since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, despite support for the death penalty declining nationwide over the past two decades.
The nitrogen gas method used to put Miller to death involves placing a respirator gas mask over the inmate’s face so that they breathe pure nitrogen gas and are deprived of oxygen and die.
Alan Eugene Miller at Pelham City Jail in Alabama in 1999. Miller was executed using nitrogen gas for killing three men on Thursday. Alan Eugene Miller at Pelham City Jail in Alabama in 1999. Miller was executed using nitrogen gas for killing three men on Thursday. Dave Martin/AP
Alabama first used the method to put Kenneth Smith to death in January. The method has been described as inhumane by some human rights groups.
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On Thursday, Miller shook and trembled on the gurney for about two minutes, with his body at times pulling against the restraints, the AP reported, followed by about six minutes of periodic gulping breaths before he became still.
In a news conference after the execution, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the movements were anticipated.
“That was nothing we did not expect,” Hamm said, explaining the nitrogen gas flowed for 15 minutes. “Everything went according to plan and according to our protocol.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the execution “went as expected.”
“Although the methods have changed over the years, it remains the judgment of the State of Alabama that some crimes are so horrific as to warrant the ultimate punishment. In Alabama, we will not deny justice to the victims of heinous murders,” Marshall said in a statement.
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“Tonight, despite misinformation campaigns by political activists, out-of-state lawyers, and biased media, the State proved once again that nitrogen hypoxia is both humane and effective. Miller’s execution went as expected and without incident.”
But witnesses contradicted the state’s version of events.
“I was a witness for Alabama’s execution of Alan Miller by nitrogen gas tonight,” Lauren Gill, a writer for Bolts magazine, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Again, it did not go as state officials promised. Miller visibly struggled for roughly two minutes, shaking and pulling at his restraints. He then spent the next 5-6 min intermittently gasping for air.”
Marshall’s description of Smith’s execution in January as “textbook” also differed from witness accounts, with advocates saying he had exhibited clear signs of pain and suffering.
One witness described how Smith began “thrashing against the straps” as the gas flowed and his head and body violently jerked back and forth for several minutes.
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Update 9/27/24, 3:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Alabama State Hornets meet in the first game of Saturday’s action at the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday.
The Cowboys (37-21) and the Hornets lost their first games of the tournament on Friday. The loser of this game will be eliminated. The winner of this game will advance to another elimination game on Sunday between the loser of the USC Upstate-Alabama game, which follows OSU-ASU
Oklahoma State fans can keep up with the game here, including lineups and inning by inning details on the game. Check out Oklahoma State On SI’s NCAA Tournament Central for everything related to the Tuscaloosa Regional.
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Game Details
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State
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Oklahoma State pitcher Stormy Rhodes. | Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Time: 1 p.m. central
TV: ESPN+ (Derek Jones & Jared Mitchell on the call). NOTE: TV is subject to change without notice.
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity Network App/93.7 KSPI-FM or okla.state/GetVarsity (Rex Holt on the call)
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OSU Batting Order
The batting order for Saturday’s game will be posted here when it is released by the team.
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Tuscaloosa Regional
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Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Venue: Sewell-Thomas Stadium (5,867).
Friday’s Results
Game 1: USC Upstate 8, Oklahoma State 5
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Game 2: Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
Saturday’s Games
Game 3: Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State, TBA (elimination game)
Game 4: USC Upstate vs. Alabama, TBA (advances to Sunday’s final)
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Sunday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Monday’s Game
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Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – For those incarcerated in Alabama, there is a path to employment through the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Re-Entry Program.
The Bureau looks at where someone may live after serving their sentence and starts connecting them with potential employers, while also conducting drug screenings to help ensure employers and communities are getting a safe employee.
“We make sure as they’re moving through our re-entry programs that they’re re-assessed for mental health stability for substance abuse challenges,” said Rebecca Bensema, Assistant Director of Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Bensema said the agency sits down with inmates to gauge their interests and review their work history to help match them with opportunities.
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Bureau Director Cam Ward explained that there are areas where an individual would be unable to work because of their conviction.
“For example, if I committed check fraud, I’m not going to be able to get a job at the bank. Sex offense… you’re not going to be eligible to work anywhere near kids or sensitive facilities,” Ward said.
Ward said offering job possibilities to people leaving incarceration is key to reducing recidivism and repeat offenses.
“Give the employer all the information and if they want to hire somebody based on their criminal history, let the employer decide, don’t let the government be the one who dictates it,” he said.
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles says it currently has positions open that people with a criminal background can apply for.
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Alabama football is hosting an impressive group of 2027 recruits throughout this weekend. This is the first of several weekends the Tide will host top recruits for official visits.
So, will Alabama add a commit this weekend? This is very much possible, and there are a few prospects Touchdown Alabama has our eyes on.
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Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
