Judge denies Alabama inmate’s request for nitrogen hypoxia execution stay

A federal judge rejected Alabama death row inmate Anthony Boyd’s request for a stay of execution on Thursday.

Middle District of Alabama Chief U.S. Judge Emily C. Marks denied a challenge put forth by Boyd’s legal team, which argued Boyd’s planned execution by nitrogen hypoxia would violate the inmate’s Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

Boyd argued that because of his asthma and vertigo, a nitrogen execution would cause him “extreme psychological distress and panic” and complicate the effectiveness of the execution.

The inmate’s request instead proposed he be executed by firing squad, hanging, or medical aid in dying; alternative methods, Boyd argued, would provide a less substantial risk of severe pain.

“Every person condemned to die likely experiences