3 Justices Dissent as Supreme Court Blocks Nitrogen Execution, Citing 3-Minute Suffering Window
The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene reinforces the Eighth Amendment’s requirement that inmates can challenge execution methods if they prove an alternative significantly reduces pain. The 11th Circuit’s focus on the three-minute unconsciousness window under nitrogen hypoxia sets a new appellate standard, and the case may prompt states to reconsider alternative methods like firing squad.