Judge Suggests Change to Nitrogen Execution to Let Inmate Pray and Say Final Words

Judge Suggests Change to Nitrogen Execution to Let Inmate Pray and Say Final Words
Kenneth Eugene Smith. Alabama Department of Corrections via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:
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MONTGOMERY, Ala.—A federal judge who is weighing whether to allow the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia to go forward next month, urged Alabama on Thursday to change procedures so the inmate can pray and say his final words before the gas mask is placed on his face.

U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker made the suggestion in a court order setting a Dec. 29 deadline to submit information before he rules on the inmate’s request to block the execution. The judge made similar comments the day prior at the conclusion of a court hearing.