A South Carolina death row inmate has chosen to be executed by a firing squad, marking what could be the first execution by gunfire in the United States in 15 years.
Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be put to death on 7 March as part of South Carolina&rsquo;s recent push to resume executions after a 13-year pause. The state now requires death row inmates to choose between the electric chair, lethal injection, or firing squad. If they refuse to choose, electrocution becomes the default method.
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<h2>Who is Brad Sigmon?</h2>
Sigmon was convicted in 2001 for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend&rsquo;s parents. He admitted his guilt in court. His legal team has argued that his actions were linked to severe mental illness, childhood abuse, and brain injuries that were never properly diagnosed or treated. They recently filed a petition to halt his execution, arguing that his trial attorneys failed to present crucial evidence about his mental state.
&ldquo;This was a horrible crime that resulted from a mix of mental illness and brain injuries that worsened his manic and irrational episodes,&rdquo; said his lawyer, Gerald &ldquo;Bo&rdquo; King. &ldquo;Brad is deeply remorseful, a devout Christian who spends much of his time in prayer and penitence.&rdquo;
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King criticised the execution methods available to Sigmon, arguing that his client was not making an informed decision.
&ldquo;He has a right to this choice, but it&rsquo;s not an informed choice. My frustration is we are in a world where he has to choose between being electrocuted, poisoned or shot, and we can&rsquo;t even get the most basic facts you would want to make that decision,&rdquo; King said.&nbsp;
Sigmon&rsquo;s attorneys raised concerns about South Carolina&rsquo;s lethal injection process, pointing out that the state has refused to provide details about the quality and reliability of its drugs. The last three executions by lethal injection in the state reportedly took over 20 minutes, with one inmate appearing to suffer a condition similar to drowning and suffocation.
&ldquo;You have three executions that have seemingly gone awry,&rdquo; King said, adding that lethal injections could be &ldquo;excruciatingly painful.&rdquo;
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<h2>South Carolina&rsquo;s execution methods</h2>
South Carolina halted executions in 2011 due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs after pharmaceutical companies stopped supplying them for use in capital punishment. However, in 2023, lawmakers passed a bill to keep drug suppliers&rsquo; identities secret, allowing the state to restock and resume executions.
Five states currently allow firing squads. The last execution by firing squad in the US took place in Utah in 2010.
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Sigmon would be the oldest person ever executed in South Carolina. His lawyer, King, condemned the decision to proceed with the execution, saying, &ldquo;Executing Brad would serve no purpose except to send a single, chilling message: no matter how profoundly a person repents, South Carolina refuses to recognise redemption.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World, Trending: Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be put to death on 7 March as part of South Carolina’s recent push to resume executions after a 13-year pause.

A South Carolina death row inmate has chosen to be executed by a firing squad, marking what could be the first execution by gunfire in the United States in 15 years. Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be put to death on 7 March as part of South Carolina’s recent push to resume executions after a 13-year pause. The state now requires death row inmates to choose between the electric chair, lethal injection, or firing squad. If they refuse to choose, electrocution becomes the default method. Also read: Who are Lazarus hackers? All about the mystery gang behind the largest crypto heist ever Who is Brad Sigmon? Sigmon was convicted in 2001 for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents. He admitted his guilt in court. His legal team has argued that his actions were linked to severe mental illness, childhood abuse, and brain injuries that were never properly diagnosed or treated. They recently filed a petition to halt his execution, arguing that his trial attorneys failed to present crucial evidence about his mental state. “This was a horrible crime that resulted from a mix of mental illness and brain injuries that worsened his manic and irrational episodes,” said his lawyer, Gerald “Bo” King. “Brad is deeply remorseful, a devout Christian who spends much of his time in prayer and penitence.” Also read: 'Un-American, unpatriotic': Backlash as Trump fires Black Air Force general, five more military ousters 'soon' King criticised the execution methods available to Sigmon, arguing that his client was not making an informed decision. “He has a right to this choice, but it’s not an informed choice. My frustration is we are in a world where he has to choose between being electrocuted, poisoned or shot, and we can’t even get the most basic facts you would want to make that decision,” King said. Sigmon’s attorneys raised concerns about South Carolina’s lethal injection process, pointing out that the state has refused to provide details about the quality and reliability of its drugs. The last three executions by lethal injection in the state reportedly took over 20 minutes, with one inmate appearing to suffer a condition similar to drowning and suffocation. “You have three executions that have seemingly gone awry,” King said, adding that lethal injections could be “excruciatingly painful.” Also read: India connect of Team Trump: Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, several Indian-Americans hold key posts in Donald Trump's administration South Carolina’s execution methods South Carolina halted executions in 2011 due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs after pharmaceutical companies stopped supplying them for use in capital punishment. However, in 2023, lawmakers passed a bill to keep drug suppliers’ identities secret, allowing the state to restock and resume executions. Five states currently allow firing squads. The last execution by firing squad in the US took place in Utah in 2010. Also read: You're reassigned: Trump moves ICE chief over slower deportations than predecessor Biden Sigmon would be the oldest person ever executed in South Carolina. His lawyer, King, condemned the decision to proceed with the execution, saying, “Executing Brad would serve no purpose except to send a single, chilling message: no matter how profoundly a person repents, South Carolina refuses to recognise redemption.” (With inputs from agencies)

Man chooses death by firing squad in first US execution of its kind in 15 years

Alabama has received the go-ahead for using nitrogen gas to execute a death row inmate later this month. A federal judge on Wednesday rejected inmate Kenneth Smith's request for an injunction to stop the execution via nitrogen hypoxia which experts and his lawyers have condemned as cruel and experimental.

This is the first time nitrogen will be used as a method of execution in the US.

<h2>A test subject?</h2>

US District R Austin Huffaker rejected Smith's request and dismissed his lawyer's argument that the inmate was being used as a "test subject" for an untried execution method.&nbsp;

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As per CBS News, Kenneth Smith's lawyers are expected to appeal the federal judge's decision. The debate of whether nitrogen can be used for execution or not may end up before the US Supreme Court.

<h2>How will the execution go down?</h2>

Alabama plans to use a respirator-type face mask to cut off the murder-row inmate's oxygen supply and replace it with nitrogen. This will cause him to die due to lack of oxygen.

<h2>Is it cruel?</h2>

As of now, three US States — Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have authorised nitrogen hypoxia. However, this is the first time the execution method will be put to use.

Smith's attorneys vehemently assert that this untested execution protocol likely infringes upon the US Constitution's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments."

They contend that any subsequent attempt to execute him, by any means, would be unconstitutional.

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The inmate's lawyers have also argued that in 2020, the American Veterinary Medical Association in its euthanasia guidelines cleared nitrogen hypoxia only for pigs. For other mammals, it said, nitrogen hypoxia could create an "anoxic environment that is distressing for some species."

International experts, including four UN human rights special rapporteurs, have also said that subjecting Smith to asphyxiation with an inert gas raises serious concerns about potential "grave suffering" and "a painful and humiliating death".

They say that the execution would likely violate an international treaty that expressly forbids torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment—a treaty to which the United States is a party.&nbsp;

However, comparing the execution method to industrial accidents where people pass out and die within minutes, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office in court filings argued that oxygen deprivation will "cause unconsciousness within seconds, and cause death within minutes." They've dismissed the defence lawyers' concerns as speculative.

<h2>Who is Kenneth Smith?&nbsp;</h2>

58-year-old Kenneth Smith is a murderer-for-hire who was&nbsp;sentenced to death for the 1988 killing of a preacher's wife.&nbsp;

Smith found himself facing nitrogen hypoxia after Alabama botched his initial execution attempt in November 2022. The lethal injection failed due to multiple futile attempts to establish an intravenous line, leaving him as one of only two individuals in the US to survive an execution attempt.

(With inputs from agencies)

Alabama has received the go-ahead for using nitrogen gas to execute a death row inmate later this month. A federal judge on Wednesday rejected inmate Kenneth Smith's request for an injunction to stop the execution via nitrogen hypoxia which experts and his lawyers have condemned as cruel and experimental.

Alabama has received the go-ahead for using nitrogen gas to execute a death row inmate later this month. A federal judge on Wednesday rejected inmate Kenneth Smith's request for an injunction to stop the execution via nitrogen hypoxia which experts and his lawyers have condemned as cruel and experimental. This is the first time nitrogen will be used as a method of execution in the US. A test subject? US District R Austin Huffaker rejected Smith's request and dismissed his lawyer's argument that the inmate was being used as a "test subject" for an untried execution method. Also read | International outcry over US plans to use 'inhuman' nitrogen asphyxiation to execute death row inmate As per CBS News, Kenneth Smith's lawyers are expected to appeal the federal judge's decision. The debate of whether nitrogen can be used for execution or not may end up before the US Supreme Court. How will the execution go down? Alabama plans to use a respirator-type face mask to cut off the murder-row inmate's oxygen supply and replace it with nitrogen. This will cause him to die due to lack of oxygen. Is it cruel? As of now, three US States — Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have authorised nitrogen hypoxia. However, this is the first time the execution method will be put to use. Smith's attorneys vehemently assert that this untested execution protocol likely infringes upon the US Constitution's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments." They contend that any subsequent attempt to execute him, by any means, would be unconstitutional. Also read | Meta to provide more ‘age appropriate’ content to teens, limit harmful items The inmate's lawyers have also argued that in 2020, the American Veterinary Medical Association in its euthanasia guidelines cleared nitrogen hypoxia only for pigs. For other mammals, it said, nitrogen hypoxia could create an "anoxic environment that is distressing for some species." International experts, including four UN human rights special rapporteurs, have also said that subjecting Smith to asphyxiation with an inert gas raises serious concerns about potential "grave suffering" and "a painful and humiliating death". They say that the execution would likely violate an international treaty that expressly forbids torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment—a treaty to which the United States is a party. However, comparing the execution method to industrial accidents where people pass out and die within minutes, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office in court filings argued that oxygen deprivation will "cause unconsciousness within seconds, and cause death within minutes." They've dismissed the defence lawyers' concerns as speculative. Who is Kenneth Smith? 58-year-old Kenneth Smith is a murderer-for-hire who was sentenced to death for the 1988 killing of a preacher's wife. Smith found himself facing nitrogen hypoxia after Alabama botched his initial execution attempt in November 2022. The lethal injection failed due to multiple futile attempts to establish an intravenous line, leaving him as one of only two individuals in the US to survive an execution attempt. (With inputs from agencies)

Federal judge gives green light to first US execution by nitrogen gas

United Nations experts have urgently implored the United States authorities to reconsider the scheduled execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama on January 25. The unsettling twist in this case is the proposed method: asphyxiation using pure nitrogen, an untested and unprecedented approach that has never been used anywhere in the world.&nbsp;

In a plea for compassion and justice, experts have cautioned that the execution method may subject Smith to "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture."

<h2>Who is Kenneth Smith?&nbsp;</h2>

58-year-old Kenneth Smith is a murderer-for-hire who was&nbsp;sentenced to death for a 1988 killing. In his scheduled execution, a face mask connected to a cylinder of nitrogen will be used to cut off his oxygen supply.

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Smith found himself in a harrowing situation after Alabama botched his initial execution attempt in November 2022. The lethal injection failed due to multiple futile attempts to establish an intravenous line, leaving him as one of only two individuals in the US to survive an execution attempt.

<h2>Cruel execution</h2>

International experts, including four UN human rights special rapporteurs, argue that subjecting Smith to asphyxiation with an inert gas raises serious concerns about potential "grave suffering" and "a painful and humiliating death".

They say that the execution would likely violate an international treaty that expressly forbids torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment—a treaty to which the United States is a party.&nbsp;

Smith's lawyers also vehemently assert that this untested execution protocol likely infringes upon the US Constitution's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments."

They also contend that any subsequent attempt to execute him, by any means, would be unconstitutional.

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As the legal battle unfolds, a federal judge in Alabama is weighing Smith's plea for a temporary injunction. It aims to halt the execution and provide space for his lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of the new protocol to progress.

In the US, executions via lethal injection have been the norm. For this, lethal doses of a barbiturate are used.

However, with a European Union law banning pharmaceutical companies from selling drugs that could potentially be used in executions, some states have struggled to obtain the drugs.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Nations experts have urgently implored the United States authorities to reconsider the scheduled execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama on January 25. The unsettling twist in this case is the proposed method: asphyxiation using pure nitrogen, an untested and unprecedented approach that has never been used anywhere in the world.

United Nations experts have urgently implored the United States authorities to reconsider the scheduled execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama on January 25. The unsettling twist in this case is the proposed method: asphyxiation using pure nitrogen, an untested and unprecedented approach that has never been used anywhere in the world. In a plea for compassion and justice, experts have cautioned that the execution method may subject Smith to "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture." Who is Kenneth Smith? 58-year-old Kenneth Smith is a murderer-for-hire who was sentenced to death for a 1988 killing. In his scheduled execution, a face mask connected to a cylinder of nitrogen will be used to cut off his oxygen supply. Also read | Mask mandate reinstated in New York City hospitals as COVID-19 cases rise Smith found himself in a harrowing situation after Alabama botched his initial execution attempt in November 2022. The lethal injection failed due to multiple futile attempts to establish an intravenous line, leaving him as one of only two individuals in the US to survive an execution attempt. Cruel execution International experts, including four UN human rights special rapporteurs, argue that subjecting Smith to asphyxiation with an inert gas raises serious concerns about potential "grave suffering" and "a painful and humiliating death". They say that the execution would likely violate an international treaty that expressly forbids torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment—a treaty to which the United States is a party. Smith's lawyers also vehemently assert that this untested execution protocol likely infringes upon the US Constitution's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments." They also contend that any subsequent attempt to execute him, by any means, would be unconstitutional. Also read | Donald Trump urges US Supreme Court to 'summarily reverse' Colorado presidential primary ballot ban As the legal battle unfolds, a federal judge in Alabama is weighing Smith's plea for a temporary injunction. It aims to halt the execution and provide space for his lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of the new protocol to progress. In the US, executions via lethal injection have been the norm. For this, lethal doses of a barbiturate are used. However, with a European Union law banning pharmaceutical companies from selling drugs that could potentially be used in executions, some states have struggled to obtain the drugs. (With inputs from agencies)

International outcry over US plans to use 'inhuman' nitrogen asphyxiation to execute death row inmate

For the first time in over three years, Florida has executed a prisoner this year, a US man convicted of a 1990 stabbing murder case.&nbsp;Donald Dillbeck was executed via lethal injection on Thursday evening, the Florida Department of Corrections said in a statement, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Dillbeck was&nbsp;in jail for the last 32 years on death row for murdering a woman by stabbing her during a carjacking attempt in a Tallahassee mall parking lot in 1990&nbsp;after escaping from the prison as he had killed&nbsp;a police officer when he was only 15, the local media reported.

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The US Supreme Court rejected his attorney's last-minute plea for a stay on Wednesday.

The execution was attended by the children of Faye Lam Vann, the woman killed by Dillbeck, and they thanked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for approving the sentence. He signed off on Dillbeck's execution the same day&nbsp;as he proposed making capital punishment easier in his state by lowering the number of jury votes necessary to approve such a sentence, the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported.&nbsp;

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During the final hearing, Dillbeck said, "I know I hurt people when I was young. I really messed up." He used his words to hit out DeSantis who is a potential 2024 presidential candidate. &nbsp;"But I know Ron DeSantis has done a lot worse. He's taken a lot from a lot of people."

Dillbeck till now is the seventh person to be executed in the United States so far this year, and the 100th person in Florida state since 1976 when the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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For the first time in over three years, Florida has executed a prisoner this year, a US man convicted of a 1990 stabbing murder case. Donald Dillbeck was executed via lethal injection on Thursday evening, the Florida Department of Corrections said in a statement, AFP reported.

For the first time in over three years, Florida has executed a prisoner this year, a US man convicted of a 1990 stabbing murder case. Donald Dillbeck was executed via lethal injection on Thursday evening, the Florida Department of Corrections said in a statement, AFP reported. Dillbeck was in jail for the last 32 years on death row for murdering a woman by stabbing her during a carjacking attempt in a Tallahassee mall parking lot in 1990 after escaping from the prison as he had killed a police officer when he was only 15, the local media reported. Also read | Florida woman killed by alligator; another alligator with mouth taped shut rescued in Florida The US Supreme Court rejected his attorney's last-minute plea for a stay on Wednesday. The execution was attended by the children of Faye Lam Vann, the woman killed by Dillbeck, and they thanked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for approving the sentence. He signed off on Dillbeck's execution the same day as he proposed making capital punishment easier in his state by lowering the number of jury votes necessary to approve such a sentence, the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported. Also read | No abortion rights! Hapless Florida couple to await baby's death after delivery During the final hearing, Dillbeck said, "I know I hurt people when I was young. I really messed up." He used his words to hit out DeSantis who is a potential 2024 presidential candidate. "But I know Ron DeSantis has done a lot worse. He's taken a lot from a lot of people." Dillbeck till now is the seventh person to be executed in the United States so far this year, and the 100th person in Florida state since 1976 when the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: In over three years, Florida executes first prisoner for murder at a shopping mall in 1990

US authorities carried out the 13th and final federal execution of Donald Trump's presidency Saturday, media reports said, less than a week before the White House is taken over by Democrat Joe Biden, who opposes the death penalty.

Dustin Higgs, a 48-year-old Black man, was executed by lethal injection at the federal penitentiary in Terre-Haute in Indiana hours after the US Supreme Court rejected a stay of execution, the New York Times reported.

Higgs was pronounced dead at 1:23 am local time, the Times said, citing a statement from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

In January 1996, Higgs invited three young women to his apartment near the capital Washington, along with two of his friends. When one of the young women rebuffed his advances, he offered to drive them home but instead stopped in an isolated federal nature reserve outside the city.

According to the Department of Justice, he then ordered one of his friends to shoot the three women. In 2000, he was sentenced to death for kidnapping and murder. The man who pulled the trigger was sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole.

"It is arbitrary and inequitable to punish Mr Higgs more severely than the actual killer," said Higgs' lawyer Shawn Nolan, in a plea for clemency addressed to President Trump at the end of January.

But the Republican president, a staunch defender of the death penalty, did not follow up. On the contrary, his administration fought in court to be able to proceed with the execution before he leaves the White House next week.

A court had ordered a stay of execution on the grounds that Higgs contracted Covid-19 and that, with his damaged lungs, he would likely suffer cruelly at the time of an injection of pentobarbital.

The Department of Justice immediately appealed and won the case.

The final bid to halt the execution then went before the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority -- firmly established by Trump appointees -- has systematically given the green light to federal executions since the summer.

- 'This is not justice' -

The Trump administration resumed federal executions in July following a 17-year hiatus, carrying them out at an unprecedented rate.

Among the 12 people put to death since then was, for the first time in nearly 70 years, a woman -- Lisa Montgomery, executed Tuesday despite doubts about her mental health.

At the same time, states postponed all executions to avoid spreading the virus.

"This is not justice," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a dissenting note to Friday's decision by the Supreme Court. "After waiting almost two decades to resume federal executions, the Government should have proceeded with some measure of restraint to ensure it did so lawfully."

"When it did not, this Court should have. It has not. Because the Court continues this pattern today, I dissent."

President-elect Biden, who will be sworn in on Wednesday, has vowed to work with Congress to try to abolish the death penalty at the federal level.

Democratic lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill to that effect and since their party has regained control of the Senate, it stands a chance of being adopted.

US authorities carried out the 13th and final federal execution of Donald Trump's presidency Saturday, media reports said, less than a week before the White House is taken over by Democrat Joe Biden, who opposes the death penalty.

US authorities carried out the 13th and final federal execution of Donald Trump's presidency Saturday, media reports said, less than a week before the White House is taken over by Democrat Joe Biden, who opposes the death penalty. Dustin Higgs, a 48-year-old Black man, was executed by lethal injection at the federal penitentiary in Terre-Haute in Indiana hours after the US Supreme Court rejected a stay of execution, the New York Times reported. Higgs was pronounced dead at 1:23 am local time, the Times said, citing a statement from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In January 1996, Higgs invited three young women to his apartment near the capital Washington, along with two of his friends. When one of the young women rebuffed his advances, he offered to drive them home but instead stopped in an isolated federal nature reserve outside the city. According to the Department of Justice, he then ordered one of his friends to shoot the three women. In 2000, he was sentenced to death for kidnapping and murder. The man who pulled the trigger was sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole. "It is arbitrary and inequitable to punish Mr Higgs more severely than the actual killer," said Higgs' lawyer Shawn Nolan, in a plea for clemency addressed to President Trump at the end of January. But the Republican president, a staunch defender of the death penalty, did not follow up. On the contrary, his administration fought in court to be able to proceed with the execution before he leaves the White House next week. A court had ordered a stay of execution on the grounds that Higgs contracted Covid-19 and that, with his damaged lungs, he would likely suffer cruelly at the time of an injection of pentobarbital. The Department of Justice immediately appealed and won the case. The final bid to halt the execution then went before the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority -- firmly established by Trump appointees -- has systematically given the green light to federal executions since the summer. - 'This is not justice' - The Trump administration resumed federal executions in July following a 17-year hiatus, carrying them out at an unprecedented rate. Among the 12 people put to death since then was, for the first time in nearly 70 years, a woman -- Lisa Montgomery, executed Tuesday despite doubts about her mental health. At the same time, states postponed all executions to avoid spreading the virus. "This is not justice," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a dissenting note to Friday's decision by the Supreme Court. "After waiting almost two decades to resume federal executions, the Government should have proceeded with some measure of restraint to ensure it did so lawfully." "When it did not, this Court should have. It has not. Because the Court continues this pattern today, I dissent." President-elect Biden, who will be sworn in on Wednesday, has vowed to work with Congress to try to abolish the death penalty at the federal level. Democratic lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill to that effect and since their party has regained control of the Senate, it stands a chance of being adopted.

US carries out last federal execution of Trump era

The US on Wednesday allowed the execution of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stay-granted-to-lisa-montgomery-first-female-inmate-on-death-row-in-us-356202">Lisa Montgomery</a>, 52, marking the first time the government implemented the death sentence for a female prisoner since 1953.

"Lisa Montgomery, 52, was executed at the US&nbsp;Penitentiary Terre Haute in accordance with the capital sentence unanimously recommended by a federal jury and imposed by the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri in 2007," the US Justice Department said.

Lisa Montgomery was convicted in 2007 for kidnapping and strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett who was pregnant. Montgomery's lawyers had last week asked Trump for clemency.

The Trump administration had resumed federal executions last year after it was halted for the past 17 years. Only three men have been executed by the federal government since 1963.

Montgomery's execution was challenged in several federal courts. Montgomery's lawyer Kelley Henry said the execution was "vicious, unlawful, and unnecessary exercise of authoritarian power."&nbsp;

Henry added that "No one can credibly dispute Mrs. Montgomery's longstanding debilitating mental disease - diagnosed and treated for the first time by the Bureau of Prisons' own doctors."

Last month Alfred Bourgeo was executed by lethal injection at a prison in Terre Haute, Indiana which was the tenth execution at the federal level in 2020. Bourgeo's execution occurred a day after another convicted prisoner, Brandon Bernard, was also executed in Terre Haute.

President-elect Biden has pledged to work with Congress to bring an end to federal executions.

For 131 years, outgoing presidents have traditionally suspended federal executions during the transition period, however, the Trump administration announced six executions between November and January.

The US on Wednesday allowed the execution of Lisa Montgomery, 52, marking the first time the government implemented the death sentence for a female prisoner since 1953.

The US on Wednesday allowed the execution of Lisa Montgomery, 52, marking the first time the government implemented the death sentence for a female prisoner since 1953. "Lisa Montgomery, 52, was executed at the US Penitentiary Terre Haute in accordance with the capital sentence unanimously recommended by a federal jury and imposed by the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri in 2007," the US Justice Department said. Lisa Montgomery was convicted in 2007 for kidnapping and strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett who was pregnant. Montgomery's lawyers had last week asked Trump for clemency. The Trump administration had resumed federal executions last year after it was halted for the past 17 years. Only three men have been executed by the federal government since 1963. Montgomery's execution was challenged in several federal courts. Montgomery's lawyer Kelley Henry said the execution was "vicious, unlawful, and unnecessary exercise of authoritarian power." Henry added that "No one can credibly dispute Mrs. Montgomery's longstanding debilitating mental disease - diagnosed and treated for the first time by the Bureau of Prisons' own doctors." Last month Alfred Bourgeo was executed by lethal injection at a prison in Terre Haute, Indiana which was the tenth execution at the federal level in 2020. Bourgeo's execution occurred a day after another convicted prisoner, Brandon Bernard, was also executed in Terre Haute. President-elect Biden has pledged to work with Congress to bring an end to federal executions. For 131 years, outgoing presidents have traditionally suspended federal executions during the transition period, however, the Trump administration announced six executions between November and January.

Lisa Montgomery death row: US carries out first federal execution of a woman in decades

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