Why the Supreme Court is fighting over deadly gas and firing squads
The Supreme Court has handed a temporary victory to an Alabama man on death row, refusing to allow his execution by nitrogen gas due to concerns over the method's constitutionality. This decision, combined with a recent nondecision in another case, suggests that some of the Court's Republican members may be reevaluating their stance on the death penalty. The Court's actions may give hope to death row inmates and their loved ones that they can challenge the methods used in executions and potentially make them less brutal.
- ▪The Supreme Court refused to allow the execution of an Alabama man by nitrogen gas due to concerns over the method's constitutionality.
- ▪The Court's decision in Lovelace v. Lee is the first time in over five years that the Court has refused to un-block an execution that a lower court had put on hold.
- ▪The Court's recent nondecision in Hamm v. Smith suggests that some of the Court's Republican members may be reevaluating their stance on the death penalty, particularly with regards to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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| Original publisher | Vox |
| Canonical URL | https://www.vox.com/politics/492087/supreme-court-lee-lovelace-alabama-firing-squad-death-penalty |
| Publication time | 2026-06-16T11:15:00-04:00 |
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PoliticsWhy the Supreme Court is fighting over deadly gas and firing squadsFor the second time in two months, the GOP-controlled Court handed a victory to a person on death row.by Ian MillhiserJun 16, 2026, 3:15 PM UTCShareGiftA man looks at a painting by Dmity Kolistratov “Firing Squad” (2016). Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty ImagesIan Millhiser is a senior correspondent at Vox, where he focuses on the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the decline of liberal democracy in the United States. He received a JD from Duke University and is the author of two books on the Supreme Court.Last week, the Supreme Court handed an unusual — if temporary — victory to an Alabama man on death row.
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