Judge bars Alabama nitrogen gas execution, says method is unconstitutionally cruel A federal judge has permanently halted Alabama’s use of nitrogen gas for executions. The judge ruled that this method constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, violating constitutional bans. This decision prevents the state from carrying out executions using this specific protocol.

• A federal judge has permanently blocked Alabama from executing an inmate using nitrogen gas.
• The judge ruled that the nitrogen gas method violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
• The ruling permanently prevents Alabama from employing this execution method.