Alabama executes Carey Dale Grayson using nitrogen gas hypoxia amid criticism of method

Carey Dale Grayson was executed on November 21 in Alabama using nitrogen gas hypoxia, a method criticized by witnesses as "torture." He was 50 years old and had been on Death Row for the 1994 murder of Vickie Deblieux. Before his execution, Grayson had a last meal of Mexican food, including tacos and burritos, along with Mountain Dew Blast. He reacted aggressively when asked for last words, cursing at officials and making obscene gestures. Grayson lost consciousness six minutes after the gas began flowing and was pronounced dead shortly after. His execution follows a brutal crime where he and others murdered and mutilated Deblieux, a hitchhiker, in Alabama.