Alabama Carries Out Execution in Decades-Old Murder Case
Alabama executed Jamie Mills on Thursday for the 1994 murder of Floyd and Vera Hill. The execution took place at a state prison in Atmore. The Supreme Court had earlier denied Mills’s request for a stay.
Mills was convicted of killing the elderly couple in their home. The victims were beaten with a hammer and stabbed. Mills maintained his innocence for years. His lawyers argued that new evidence suggested he wasn’t the primary killer.
The execution was carried out by lethal injection. Witnesses included family members of the victims and reporters.
The Crime and Conviction
Floyd and Vera Hill were found dead in their home in 1994. They had suffered severe injuries. Jamie Mills and his girlfriend, JoAnn McAllister, were arrested soon after.
McAllister testified against Mills at trial. She said that Mills was responsible for the brutal attacks. Mills was convicted and sentenced to death. McAllister received a life sentence.
Appeals and Legal Challenges
Over the years, Mills filed multiple appeals. He claimed that his trial was unfair. He also argued that new evidence pointed to McAllister as the main perpetrator.
His attorneys presented evidence suggesting McAllister acted alone. They claimed she had a history of violence. However, the courts rejected these appeals. They upheld Mills’s conviction and death sentence.
Supreme Court Ruling
On Thursday, Mills’s lawyers asked the Supreme Court to halt the execution. They argued that there were still questions about his guilt. The Supreme Court denied the request without comment. This cleared the way for the execution to proceed.
The Execution
Jamie Mills was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. local time. The execution went according to protocol. There were no reported complications.
Reactions
Family members of the Hills expressed relief that justice had finally been served. Mills’s attorneys expressed disappointment. They maintained that an innocent man may have been executed. The case has brought up ongoing debates about capital punishment and the justice system. Meanwhile, similar cases are being reviewed across the country.
Source: bbc.com
