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U.S. Supreme Court Halts Arthur Execution

Supreme Court
Equal Justice Initiative
United States Supreme Court

Alabama death row inmate Tommy Arthur is still alive this morning, thanks to a last-minute stay of execution from the United States Supreme Court.

Arthur was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection yesterday evening. The court initially ordered his execution delayed while they reviewed his case. Then late last night, the Supreme Court stopped Arthur’s execution altogether as the justices consider whether to take up his appeals. Justices say Arthur’s execution stay will expire if they decide not to hear his case.

Arthur is challenging Alabama’s lethal injection protocol as cruel and unusual punishment. A similar procedure in Oklahoma was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year.

Arthur is facing death for the 1982 contract killing of Muscle Shoals businessman Troy Wicker. This latest reprieve is the seventh time Arthur has been granted an execution stay.

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