Alabama death row inmate Carey Dale Grayson was executed on Thursday, becoming the third inmate in the U.S. to be executed by nitrogen gas. Grayson was convicted of the torture, bludgeoning, and mutilation of Vickie Lynn DeBlieux in 1994. DeBlieux, 37, was murdered by Grayson and three other teens who picked her up while she was hitchhiking. Grayson was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. following the execution.
The use of nitrogen gas for executions has been controversial, with some witnesses describing it as torture. However, Governor Kay Ivey defended the use of this method, stating that it does not compare to the suffering experienced by DeBlieux. Jodi DeBlieux Haley, the victim’s daughter, spoke out against the death penalty despite the loss of her mother, stating that state-sanctioned homicide is not the answer.
Grayson’s last words before his execution were disrespectful, and he appeared to struggle during the process. His last meal consisted of soft tacos, beef burritos, tostada, chips, guacamole, and Mountain Dew Blast. Grayson was convicted of the brutal murder of DeBlieux, in which she was beaten, stomped on, and eventually killed by the group of teens.
Despite Grayson’s tragic upbringing and struggles with mental illness, he was found guilty of his role in the murder. Grayson’s execution follows others in Alabama using the nitrogen gas method, which has drawn criticism for its potential for causing suffering. The debate over the death penalty continues as Haley calls for a change in how the justice system handles capital punishment.
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