Bernard Harcourt

Judge blocks Alabama's nitrogen gas execution method, rules it is unconstitutionally cruel

A federal judge on Tuesday permanently blocked Alabama executing death row inmate Jeffrey Lee with nitrogen gas after finding that it violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks handed down the ruling hours after an appeals court reversed her initial finding that the controversial execution method was constitutional. She permanently barred the state from using nitrogen gas to execute Jeffrey Lee, 49, who was scheduled to be put to...