Alabama inmate Nathaniel Woods was put to death Thursday night, three hours after his scheduled execution was initially delayed when the 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 Woods' fate. Woods, 43, who was convicted for his role in the fatal shootings of three Birmingham police officers in , was pronounced dead at p. He had no last words but appeared to arrange his hands in a sign of his Islamic faith, according to The Associated Press. In the days leading up to the execution, Woods' 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. Even Woods' co-defendant, Kerry Spencer, who has confessed to being the triggerman and denies Woods was complicit, implored for his execution to be stopped. Nathaniel Woods doesn't even deserve to be incarcerated, much less executed.


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Ten minutes before Nathaniel Woods was scheduled to be executed for his role in the murder of three police officers, the chief of staff to the governor of Alabama received a desperate phone call from the sister of one of the slain cops. Supreme Court stay bought Woods a few more hours. For those close to Woods, and undoubtedly the condemned man himself, the failed call for mercy was only one of several moments of emotional whiplash on the last day of his life. The Supreme Court stay caused his family members to celebrate, believing he had been spared. He did not respond to an interview request for this story. But I want him to know he is Forgiven by me. Faraino makes her living in finance, and her pro bono legal work for Woods was a no-frills family affair. Her mother pulled legal files at the courthouse, and her stepfather, Bart Starr Jr.
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By Eliott C. CNN Alabama executed Nathaniel Woods on Thursday for the murders of three Birmingham police officers, the state corrections department said. Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. More Videos Alabama executes inmate Nathaniel Woods. How Harris' sorority helped shape her leadership. School districts experience challenges with remote learning. No, Black people aren't to blame for police brutality. Fact check: Trump's favorite mail-in voting fraud claims.
CNN High-profile supporters on both sides of a controversial death penalty case are still trading barbs, even after Nathaniel Woods was executed Thursday night in Alabama. Nate will die for a crime another man confessed to and says Nate had nothing to do with. My heart and prayers are with Nate and his family and all the advocates who worked tirelessly to save his life. CNN's Eliott C. Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.