Alan Eugene Miller was executed by nitrogen gas on September 26, 2024, becoming the second inmate in the U.S. to face this controversial method, invoking debates over its potential cruelty and a resurgent death penalty.

Miller's execution, which involved him gasping for air for six minutes and shaking on the gurney, underscores growing concerns about the humane application of nitrogen hypoxia, a method some witnesses have described as causing severe suffering. This execution is part of a broader trend of multiple death penalty cases being scheduled after years of decline, hinting at a possible reversal of the national conversation surrounding capital punishment and raising critical questions about the methods employed in these executions.

Alan Eugene Miller was pronounced dead at 6:38 PM local time on September 26, 2024, following the execution, which raised numerous concerns about the process and method used. Witnesses reported that Miller shook and trembled on the gurney for approximately two minutes before gasping for air for six minutes. Advocates against the death penalty have pointed to such instances to argue against its use entirely.

Miller was convicted of the murder of three men during a series of shootings at the workplace in Pelham, Alabama, in August 1999. The incident was reportedly fueled by Miller's belief that the victims were gossiping about him. Following his conviction, Miller maintained his innocence, expressing in his final words, 'I didn't do anything to be in here.' His assertions of innocence reflect the ongoing debates surrounding wrongful convictions and the death penalty's finality.

Alabama's choice to employ nitrogen gas for this execution is particularly notable given that it was only the second time this method has been used in the United States. Nitrogen hypoxia involves replacing breathable air with pure nitrogen, which leads to death through asphyxiation. Proponents argue that this method could be more humane compared to lethal injections; however, several reports from previous nitrogen gas executions have documented instances of severe and prolonged suffering, leading critics to dispute these claims.

Miller's execution comes on the heels of attempts to execute him by lethal injection in 2022, which were aborted due to staff members failing to locate a suitable vein. This incident highlights the challenges faced by states relying on lethal injection as their primary method of execution. The failure of that attempt has contributed to ongoing discussions about the viability and practicality of current execution methods.

Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama characterized Miller as 'pure evil,' suggesting that his execution served a moral imperative for justice. Ivey's remarks point to the broader sentiments among supporters of the death penalty who advocate that capital punishment serves as a necessary tool for ensuring justice in cases of particularly heinous crimes.

The execution of Miller is part of a larger trend challenging a years-long decline in the death penalty, where multiple executions were scheduled in a short time. Critics of this resurgence foreshadow potential implications for how death row inmates are treated and the ethical considerations surrounding the application of the death penalty.

The state of Alabama has faced significant criticism regarding the execution process, especially with a history of botched executions that have led to public outcry and legal challenges. Witnesses to prior executions by nitrogen gas reported severe and prolonged suffering of the inmates. As public awareness continues to grow, these practices are likely to come under closer examination.

As capital punishment becomes a focal point of national discussion once again, the case of Alan Eugene Miller serves as a stark reminder of the controversies that plague the system. The reliance on nitrogen hypoxia, Miller's prolonged suffering, and the broader implications for death penalty practices prompt ongoing conversations about ethics, morality, and the future of capital punishment in the United States.