Alabama inmate Nathaniel Woods was put to death Thursday night, three hours after his scheduled execution was initially delayed when the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in for a last-minute review of his
case.
But the high court ultimately declined to intervene, and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also said she would not impede the execution, sealing Wood’s fate.
Alabama inmate Nathaniel Woods executed for murders of Alabama police officers in 2014. Wood’s co-defendant, who has confessed to being the triggerman and denies Woods was complicit, implored for his execution to be stopped.
Prosecutors said he was just as guilty as the man who pulled the trigger. He had been a mastermind, prosecutors said, luring police officers in Birmingham, Ala., into a house where three of them were killed.
The families of the slain police officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III, and Charles R. Bennett spoke out.
“Partial justice has been served for our family today,” the statement read. “Nathaniel Woods chose his fate on June 17, 2004. That horrific day could have been prevented if he had any kind of compassion or respect for law enforcement.” – Sister of Officer Harley A. Chisholm III
“My brother Harley was a sweet, caring, honest, hard-working, gentle loving man with a huge heart of gold,” a third sister, Brenda Wicinski, said. “Our lives were shattered and our worlds turned upside down on that horrific day.” via al.com
Social justice warriors and liberals are lying to you about cop killer Nathaniel Woods https://t.co/09AzGlCpKy via @Alabama Today
— Noni Lovechild (@noni_lovechild) March 6, 2020
Governor Ivey cannot allow the execution of Nate Woods. Please call 334-242-7100 and ask to grant him a reprieve, and tag @GovernorKayIvey. We must stop this injustice before it is too late. Please Retweet. #SaveNate https://t.co/pyCTYyhEhr
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) March 3, 2020
In the days leading up to the execution, Wood’s family and prominent activists rallied on his behalf, collecting signatures in hopes of swaying Ivey to grant him clemency. Renewed questions surrounding his trial, accusations that his case was mishandled, and scrutiny over how Alabama’s criminal laws treat black defendants raised concerns.
After reviewing both sides, do you feel like justice was served? Or can this be a “Lynching” of a man who deserved better.? DROP COMMENTS BELOW.
Alabama executed Nathaniel Woods last night for a crime involving white victims.
A stunning 84% of Alabama executions in the modern era have been carried out for crimes involving white victims.
Even though only 20% of the state’s homicide victims are white.
Source: @eji_org pic.twitter.com/hbjGobvAvx
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 6, 2020
The guy that murdered the 4 black girls in the 1963 church bombing is still ALIVE AND up for parole next year. But they executed a black man tonight who didn’t even commit the crime that occurred in 2004? Both of these cases happened in Birmingham, Alabama! 🤦🏾♀️ #NathanielWoods pic.twitter.com/Ah2o1ZlXH2
— Shawn/TrulyBlessed81 (@MsCincy) March 6, 2020
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has released the following statement after the execution:
“Tonight, justice has been served. Nathaniel Woods, one of two cop-killers in ‘the bloodiest day in Birmingham Police Department history,’ has met his just fate.”
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) March 6, 2020
BREAKING: Alabama executed Nathaniel Woods tonight—even though he didnt kill anyone & eye witnesses admit he had nothing to do w/the officers killed.
AL Gov Ivey—who claims she believes all life is sacred—refused to stop this innocent man’s execution😓https://t.co/VZyxxH4NhS
— Qasim Rashid for Congress (@QasimRashid) March 6, 2020
a legal lynching https://t.co/6RBO9sgtPJ
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) March 6, 2020
