Despite maintaining his innocence for over three decades, a death row prisoner was put to death today for a murder he insisted he did not commit.
Anthony Boyd, 54, was executed by nitrogen gas at an Alabama prison, despite his final words denying any involvement in the crime. Boyd had made pleas to the governor in a last-minute attempt to avoid the execution, expressing his innocence, but to no avail.
Boyd was convicted of playing a role in the burning death of Gregory Huguley in 1993 over a drug debt dispute, and had spent the following 30 years on death row at the William C Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.
Minutes before the execution, Boyd reiterated his innocence and criticized the justice system, expressing love to those who continue to fight against it.
Following the administration of nitrogen gas, Boyd displayed physical reactions before succumbing to its effects. Alabama’s use of this controversial execution method has faced criticism, with Rev Jeff Hood denouncing the process as incompetent.
Boyd had requested a firing squad execution, which was denied, as he hoped for a meeting with the Alabama governor, which did not occur before his execution.
The court heard that Boyd was involved in tying up Mr. Huguley before he was set on fire, leading to Boyd’s conviction and death sentence, despite his claims of innocence.
Alabama’s Attorney General reaffirmed the state’s commitment to upholding justice for victims and their families, emphasizing Boyd’s lack of new evidence to challenge his conviction over the years.
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