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Alabama Executes Anthony Boyd Amid Controversial Nitrogen Method

10/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Alabama executed Anthony Boyd, 54, by nitrogen gas on October 25, 2025, the eighth use of the method.
He was convicted in the 1993 murder of Gregory Huguley, who was killed over a drug debt.
Witnesses said Boyd gasped and convulsed for more than 20 minutes, and the Supreme Court denied his appeal with Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticizing the method.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, Oklahoma became the first state to adopt nitrogen hypoxia for executions, responding to rising complications with lethal injections, which had reached 7%. This shift reflects ongoing debates about humane execution methods, highlighted by Anthony Boyd's controversial execution in Alabama. The use of nitrogen raises ethical concerns about state-sanctioned death and evolving standards of decency in the justice system.

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Story summary

Alabama executed Anthony Boyd, 54, by nitrogen gas on October 25, 2025, the eighth use of the method.
He was convicted in the 1993 murder of Gregory Huguley, who was killed over a drug debt.
Witnesses said Boyd gasped and convulsed for more than 20 minutes, and the Supreme Court denied his appeal with Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticizing the method.

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