Two Prisoners Executed in Controversial Methods in the U.S.
On Thursday, the United States witnessed the execution of two prisoners, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the death penalty. Emanuel Littlejohn, aged 52, was executed by lethal injection in Oklahoma for the 1992 murder of Kenneth Mears during a robbery. Despite his claims of innocence, Littlejohn's execution has been described by Oklahoma State Attorney General Gentner Drummond as a long-awaited justice for the victim’s family, who have waited 32 years for closure. Littlejohn's accomplice, Glen Bethany, received a life sentence without parole, highlighting the complexities of the case where both men blamed each other for the murder.
In a separate execution, Alan Miller was put to death in Alabama by a controversial method known as nitrogen hypoxia, which involves inhaling nitrogen gas. This method was used for only the second time in history, following its initial application in January 2024. Miller, who was convicted of killing three fellow inmates in 1999, had previously survived an execution attempt by lethal injection due to complications in administering the drugs. The United Nations has condemned nitrogen hypoxia, equating it to torture, raising ethical concerns about its use in capital punishment.
As of now, 18 executions have been carried out in the U.S. in 2024 alone, with five occurring within the last week. This raises questions about the future of the death penalty in the country, especially as 23 states have abolished it and six others have imposed moratoriums on executions.
