The unusually high number of executions defies a yearslong trend of decline in both the use and support of the death penalty in the U.S.
If carried out as planned, the executions in Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas will mark the first time in more than 20 years—since July 2003—that five were held in seven days, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center, which takes no position on capital punishment but has criticized the way states carry out executions.
As for how they are being killed, you need to know about this:
Alabama on Thursday is preparing to carry out the nation’s second execution ever using nitrogen gas after becoming the first state to use the new procedure in January. Alan Miller is set to die by the process in which a mask is placed over the inmate’s head that forces the inmate to inhale pure nitrogen.
Khalil Allah and Marcellus Williams both had substantial evidence that they were innocent.
Travis Mullis and Emmanuel Littlejohn are both victims of horrific childhood trauma, violence, and abuse, with Mullis being particularly vulnerable from his mental health state, who even decided to waive his right to a stay of execution.
Alan Miller and Khalil Allah both attempted to be executed previously, and their executioners failed.
None of these men deserve to die this way. Abolish the death penalty.
