An inmate on death row scheduled for execution is pleading with the state governor to meet with him before the planned execution of what he claims to be an innocent man.
Anthony Boyd, who has maintained his innocence for over 30 years in the case of Gregory Huguley’s death, despite being convicted of capital murder, is making a final plea as he faces execution by nitrogen gas in Alabama. Boyd, aged 53, is urging authorities to reconsider their decision.
In a recorded message played during a news conference in Alabama, Boyd expressed his desire for a meeting with Governor Kay Ivey before his execution, stating, “Come sit down with me before you carry out the sentence on a person you consider one of the worst of the worst.”
Boyd emphasized that if Governor Ivey believes he is being dishonest during the meeting, he is willing to accept the consequences. However, he implored the governor to halt the execution for a comprehensive and fair examination of his case.
Boyd was convicted for the 1993 murder of Gregory Huguley, who was burned alive over a $200 drug debt in Talladega County, Alabama. Prosecutors alleged that Boyd was among a group of four individuals involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Mr. Huguley.
Despite Boyd’s persistent claims of innocence, local authorities maintain their stance on his guilt in the murder. Governor Ivey’s spokesperson, Mike Lewis, stated that all cases undergo thorough review before execution dates are set, and as of now, there have been no recent legal challenges disputing Boyd’s culpability in the crime.
Boyd’s case was characterized as particularly challenging by Governor Ivey’s team, who have rarely intervened in execution cases since taking office. Other death row inmates in Alabama, such as Geoffrey Todd West and Shawn Ingram, have also faced similar legal battles.
Alabama recently adopted the use of nitrogen gas for executions, prompting Boyd’s legal team to seek intervention from federal courts to scrutinize the new execution method.