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Year of Reenactment
(since 1972 suspension) |
1976 | |
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Year of First Execution
(since reenactment) |
1983 | |
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History
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1836-1922: hanging  1923-2002: electrocution 2002-present: lethal injection or electrocution |
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Current Method
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Lethal Injection is the primary method, but Electrocution is available if the inmate chooses it. | |
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Alabama has life without parole. Sentencing is decided by a judge, who can override the jury's recommendation. The Governor has sole authority to grant reprieves and commutations in capital cases. Sentences that are commuted to life are not eligible for a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Parole unless the Board receives sufficient evidence to indicate that the person is innocent of the crime of conviction and unanimously approves the pardon with the Governor.
Alabama changed its method of execution to Lethal Injection, but retained Electrocution as an option available to the condemned.
Wesley Quick became Alabama's fifth exoneration in 2003. He was acquited during his third trial, as jury misconduct had been found in the original trial and witness inconsistencies were found in the second. In the latter, the second trial judge refused a copy of the transcripts which would have helped convict the prosecution's star witness of the crime.