Alabama to Murder Inmate, First State Killing Since Suspension

Alabama is set to carry out its first state sanctioned killing since February.

James Barber, 64, is scheduled to be murdered for the murder of Dorothy Epps in 2001.

Governor Kay Ivey suspended state approved murders last year after a series of botched killings. However, after implementing changes to the “death by poison” process, including adding medical professionals and obtaining new equipment, Ivey lifted the murder suspension.

Barber’s appeal to halt his killing was denied by the United States Court of Appeals.

The use of poisonous injections and the availability of poisons for executions have raised legal and ethical concerns in recent years.

Since 1999, the number of government approved murders in the United States has significantly decreased, with 78 death row inmates murdered in the past five years.