South-Carolina

Alabama puts man to death in the country's second nitrogen gas execution

Published

2 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Alabama puts man to death in the country's second nitrogen gas execution

ATMORE, Ala. — Alabama used nitrogen gas Thursday to execute a man convicted of killing three people in back-to-back workplace shootings, the second time the method that has generated debate about its humaneness has been used in the country.

Alan Eugene Miller, 59, was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m. local time at a south Alabama prison. He shook and trembled on the gurney for about two minutes with his body at times pulling against the restraints. That was followed by about six minutes of periodic gulping breaths before he became still.

Miller was convicted of killing three men — Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis — in 1999 and the state had previously attempted to execute him by lethal injection in 2022.

“I didn’t do anything to be in here,” Miller said in his final words that were at times muffled by the blue-rimmed gas mask that covered his face from forehead to chin. However, witnesses at the trial had expressed no doubt about his guilt, describing Miller shooting the three men.

At the execution, Miller also asked his family and friends to “take care” of someone but it was not clear whose name he said.

Miller was one of five inmates put to death in the span of one week, an unusually high number that defies a yearslong trend of decline in the use of the death penalty in the U.S.

“Tonight, justice was finally served for these three victims through the execution method elected by the inmate,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “His acts were not that of insanity, but pure evil. Three families were forever changed by his heinous crimes, and I pray that they can find comfort all these years later.”

Family members of the three victims did not witness the execution and did not issue a statement to be read to reporters, state officials said.

The execution was the second to use the new method Alabama first employed in January, when Kenneth Smith was put to death. The method involves placing a respirator gas mask over the inmate’s face to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen.

Alabama officials and advocates have argued over whether Smith suffered an unconstitutional level of pain during his execution after he shook in seizure-like spasms for several minutes, at times rocking the gurney. Smith then gasped for breath for several minutes. The shaking exhibited by Miller was similar to what was seen at the first nitrogen gas execution but did not seem as long or as violent.

Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said the shaking movements were anticipated.

“Just like in Smith we talked about there is going to be involuntarily body movements as the body is depleted of oxygen. So that was nothing we did not expect,” Hamm said.

Hamm said the nitrogen gas flowed for 15 minutes during the execution.

“Everything went according to plan and according to our protocol,” he said.

A delivery truck driver, Miller was convicted of capital murder for the Aug. 5, 1999, shootings that claimed three lives and shocked the city of Pelham, a suburban city just south of Birmingham.

Police say that early that morning, Miller entered Ferguson Enterprises and fatally shot two co-workers: Holdbrooks, 32, and Yancy, 28. He then drove 5 miles (8 kilometers) away to Post Airgas, where he had previously worked, and shot Jarvis, 39. Trial testimony indicated that Miller was paranoid and believed his co-workers had been gossiping about him.

“You’ve been spreading rumors about me,” a witness described Miller as saying before he opened fire. All three men were shot multiple times.

Miller had initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but later withdrew the plea. A psychiatrist hired by the defense said that Miller was mentally ill but his condition wasn’t severe enough to use as a basis for an insanity defense, according to court documents. Jurors convicted Miller after 20 minutes of deliberation and recommended by a vote of 10-2 that he receive the death penalty.

In 2022, the state called off the previous attempt to execute Miller after being unable to connect an IV line to the 351-pound (159-kilogram) inmate. Miller had initially challenged the nitrogen gas protocol but dropped his lawsuit after reaching an undisclosed settlement with the state.

Hamm said the state did not change the protocol. Miller, among other things, had requested to be given a sedative. Hamm declined to say if Miller was given a sedative and referred questions about the settlement to Miller’s attorneys.

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South-Carolina

Officials announce road closures due to Hurricane Helene

Published

13 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Officials announce road closures due to Hurricane Helene

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As Hurricane Helene heads towards South Carolina, various officials from across the Midlands have announced road closures due to flooding.

City of Columbia

As of around noon Thursday, the City of Columbia announced portions of Whaley Street and Main Street have closed due to having accumulated a significant amount of rain.

Whaley Street is closed from Assembly Street to Sumter Street, and Main Street is closed from Catawba Street to Whaley Street.

The Columbia-Richland Fire Department also reported that the intersection of Main Street and Whaley Street is flooded.

Officials announce road closures due to Hurricane Helene – Main and Whaley(Columbia-Richland Fire Department)

WIS News 10 crews have also picked up on a large amount of rainwater at the intersection of Blossom Street and Huger Street, seen below.

WIS News 10 crews have also picked up on a large amount of rainwater at the intersection of Blossom and Huger Streets.

As of around 12:45 p.m., The Columbia Police Department (CPD) said they are redirecting traffic at this intersection due to severe flooding. Westbound traffic on Blossom, who are headed towards Cayce, will be routed to Gervais Street.

At around 1:30 p.m., officials with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) said the Blossom Street bridge has closed due to flooding. Crews are working to reopen the road, but SCDOT said drivers should expect delays.

The intersection of Key Road and Market Street, adjacent to Williams-Brice Stadium has also experienced flooding Thursday. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department said a driver had to be rescued from his vehicle after it stalled out in flood waters on Key Road.

Officials announce road closures due to Hurricane Helene – Key Road

The city said they are sending crews to monitor the closures and eventually reopen the roads.

The following intersections are prone to flooding:

Main and Whaley
Gervais and Laurens
Blossom and Henderson
Blossom and Saluda
Harden and Santee
Monroe and Maple
Two Notch and Read
Wheat and Amherst
Adger and Devine
Wheat and Sumter
Wheat and Pickens
Heyward and Ravenel
Pickens between Wheat and Green
Barnwell and Pendleton
Harden and Read
Harden and Calhoun
Franklin and Marion
Franklin and Sumter
Columbia College and N. Main
Bull and Laurel

Columbia officials encourage residents to avoid these areas during and immediately after weather events involving heavy rain.

This story is developing. Check back here for updates.

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South-Carolina

Could SC expand Medicaid? New group says NC shows it can get done

Published

24 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Could SC expand Medicaid? New group says NC shows it can get done

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina remains one of 10 states that have opted to not expand Medicaid since it became an option about a decade ago.

A newly formed coalition of dozens of nonprofits and organizations are now calling on lawmakers to change that, but they face substantial opposition.

Medicaid expansion has long been something of a third rail at the South Carolina State House.

But supporters point to another state with a Republican-dominated legislature to show how it can get done: North Carolina.

“It wasn’t easy. It took us 10 years to get there,” North Carolina Republican state representative Donny Lambeth said during a news conference Tuesday in Columbia.

Since last December, the state of North Carolina reports more than half a million people have signed up for coverage under its newly expanded Medicaid eligibility.

A report the group Cover SC recently commissioned found around 340,000 South Carolinians could benefit from Medicaid expansion.

“Most are workers who don’t qualify for Medicaid but make too little to afford private insurance,” Teresa Arnold, the group’s co-chair, said.

When states expand Medicaid eligibility, the federal government covers 90% of the cost, while states are on the hook for the other 10%.

South Carolina’s share for the first year is around $270 million, but by year 10, it is estimated to grow to more than $380 million dollars.

But North Carolina crafted a deal in which hospitals pick up that 10% through an annual tax.

“We’ve constructed this in a way that’s not costing the state of North Carolina a single penny,” North Carolina Republican state senator Kevin Corbin said.

Earlier this year, Governor Henry McMaster vetoed an effort to take a closer look at South Carolina’s healthcare market, including Medicaid expansion.

The Republican governor remains firmly opposed to the option.

“This is our state,” McMaster told reporters Tuesday. “We have to do the right thing in our state, and to be taking taxpayer dollars from our citizens and be giving them to able-bodied, childless adults, childless, able-bodied adults, is not a wise expenditure of that money.”

But South Carolinian Cliff Arnold said people like him would benefit.

He said he was working until two years ago when his kidneys started failing.

Arnold, who uses a wheelchair, said his disability check is too much to qualify for Medicaid but is eaten up by his medical expenses each month.

“I’m just sweating to see if I can make it to the next check,” he said. “Having healthcare would really make a huge difference in how much we actually would be able to — it would actually put food in our refrigerator.”

While both Carolinas are home to legislatures dominated by Republicans, a key difference between them is who leads the executive branch.

While McMaster is a Republican, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is a Democrat and made Medicaid expansion a key priority.

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South-Carolina

Gov. McMaster declares state of emergency for South Carolina as Hurricane Helene approaches

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

Press Room

Gov. McMaster declares state of emergency for South Carolina as Hurricane Helene approaches

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – On Wednesday, Governor McMaster declared a state of emergency in preparation for the landing of Hurricane Helene.

The governor’s order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. This declaration directs the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) to coordinate with state agencies to prepare for assistance requests from local officials and county emergency management leaders.

“Although South Carolina will likely avoid the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s impacts, the storm is still expected to bring dangerous flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes to many parts of the state,” said Governor McMaster.

“This State of Emergency ensures that Team South Carolina has the necessary resources in place to respond to these potential impacts. South Carolinians in potentially affected areas should start to take precautions now and monitor local weather forecasts over the next several days.”

Hurricane Helene formed Tuesday and is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico. Before making landfall in the Big Bend of Florida Thursday evening, Helene is likely to be a Major Hurricane, with sustained winds around 125 MPH.

The storm is expected to impact South Carolina and other southeastern states with strong winds, significant rainfall, flash flooding, and an enhanced risk of isolated tornadoes.

Watch WIS Thursday and Friday for First Alert Weather coverage as the hurricane makes its way through the Midlands.