The U.S. Supreme Court determined April 16 that Kentucky’s lethal injection protocol, which is similar to that of Alabama, does not violate the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment.”
“(Last Wednesday) the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed a constitutional principle long understood by Alabamians: Those who willfully and cruelly take a human life can—and must—face the only punishment equal to their crime,” said Alabama Attorney General Troy King. “It is fitting that, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Court’s decision to uphold the States’ use of lethal injection grants a substantial victory for the champions of justice, and it strikes a blow to those who stand in justice’s way. In effect, (Wednesday’s) decision has removed the barrier that has impeded justice for the past year.”
One day after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, King renewed motions to set execution dates for three murderers.
King asked the Alabama Supreme Court to move forward in the cases of Jimmy Dill, Phillip Hallford and Willie McNair.
“Justice has too long been delayed in each of these cases and in many more,” King said. “We are committed to moving swiftly to deliver justice for the victims who suffered at the hands of these wicked criminals.”
Anna Olson, a junior in accounting, said she is against the death penalty in all cases.
“I understand the burden of keeping inmates incarcerated for life,” Olson said. “But I just don’t believe that anybody has the right to end the life of another human.”
Heath Meadows, a junior in electrical engineering, said he doesn’t strongly support the death penalty, but he thinks it can be useful in certain instances.
“I feel like every person is entitled to be forgiven,” Meadows said. “But on repeated accounts of outrageous crimes, I think it could be used to rid the world of people who absolutely don’t want to abide by the law that is set for everyone with no exceptions.”
But Meadows believes the U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision in the lethal injection case.
“It’s good for the United States to stand by the principles and methods of law that has made our country flourish for so many years,” Meadows said. “Too many U.S. citizens criticize their own country and it seems as though they don’t see all the history and sacrifice that so many people endured so that we can live like we do now. And the death penalty is one of the oldest and most outspoken laws that has been here for centuries to keep our country lawful.”
Meadows said although the death penalty itself seems barbaric, he believes lethal injection may be the most ethical way to carry out such a punishment.
“I don’t think there should be any changes made to the law,” Meadows said. “Everyone has a choice in life. If you make the wrong choice, then you should suffer the consequences. And I say all of this while including myself. If I mess up, I know what will be waiting for me. Everyone has that choice.”
