A death row inmate has filed a federal lawsuit following a botched execution, saying he felt as though his veins were being ‘pushed around inside his body’.
Alan Miller was supposed to be executed on 22 September for killing three people during a 1999 workplace shooting spree.
However, Miller had requested to be killed by nitrogen hypoxia, and in his lawsuit, Miller’s lawyers said this was because medical professionals have always had issues locating the prisoner’s veins.
Initially, the state of Alabama assured Miller that nitrogen hypoxia would be available for use, however, according to the lawsuit, Alabama Corrections Commissioner Jon Hamm later said death by nitrogen hypoxia couldn't be used and lethal injection should be instead.
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Miller’s team alleges this was then cleared by the Supreme Court.
Miller’s execution by lethal injection last month eventually had to be called off because Holman Prison officials weren’t able to find his vein.
Miller claims he was prodded and poked for 90 minutes during the ‘botched’ execution, according to WBRC.
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His attorneys say their client was ‘tortured’, with prison staff first attempting to find access to his veins in his arms, then in his hands.
Eventually, as per the lawsuit, staff tried to find a vein in Miller’s foot but seemingly hit a nerve, with Miller saying ‘it felt like he had been electrocuted, and his entire body shook in the restraints’.
Miller’s lawyers say prison staff then tried his arms again, before a guard - who has not been identified - started ‘slapping the skin on Miller’s neck’.
“Mr. Miller physically recoiled out of intense fear of the men trying to insert a needle in his neck,” the lawsuit continues.
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A new request has been made for an execution date, and Miller’s team wants the judge to ban the state from executing him by any method other than nitrogen hypoxia.
Miller’s attorneys argue that unless his request to be killed by nitrogen hypoxia is fulfilled, the state is being granted freedom to stab him with needles as many times as they can before midnight.
The state must reply to Miller's team today (11 October) and provide an answer.
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UNILAD has approached William C. Holman Correctional Facility for comment.
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Aisha Nozari