Alabama Schedules Execution of Carey Grayson

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has scheduled the execution of Carey Dale Grayson for November 21, marking the third execution in the U.S. to use nitrogen gas. Grayson was convicted in the 1994 murder of Vickie Deblieux, and his execution follows Alabama's first nitrogen gas execution of Kenneth Smith in January, which was met with criticism due to Smith's apparent suffering. A second nitrogen execution for Alan Eugene Miller is set for September 26, following a lawsuit settlement regarding the execution method. Grayson's legal team has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the nitrogen protocol, arguing it inflicts unconstitutional pain, citing Smith's execution as evidence. Despite these challenges, Attorney General Steve Marshall has declared nitrogen hypoxia a proven method, with 43 other inmates requesting it. The execution is set to occur shortly before Thanksgiving, with Ivey retaining the authority to grant clemency if necessary.