ATMORE, ALA. – Alabama is preparing to execute 64-year-old James Barber on Thursday for the 2001 beating death of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. This execution will mark the state’s first lethal injection since Governor Kay Ivey paused executions in November 2022 to conduct an internal review following difficulties with inserting IVs in previous cases.
Barber, a handyman who knew Epps’ daughter, confessed to killing her with a claw hammer and stealing her purse. He was sentenced to death by a jury, with an 11-1 vote in favor of the death penalty.
Critics, including advocacy groups like Reprieve, have expressed concern about Alabama’s execution process due to three instances of botched executions last year. Despite these concerns, the state has moved forward with Barber’s execution.
Barber’s attorneys have appealed to federal courts to halt the execution, citing the state’s past problems with IV access. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to block the execution, stating that Barber’s claim about the continuation of issues is “purely speculative.”
Alabama’s attorney general’s office supports proceeding with the execution, asserting that the Department of Corrections has made efforts to address previous problems and has provided documentation of appropriate licensing for those responsible for setting IV lines.
The state’s internal review resulted in changes to the execution process, including extending the time window for carrying out an execution. The Alabama Supreme Court removed the customary midnight deadline, allowing the state until 6 a.m. Friday to begin Barber’s execution.
Despite calls for an independent review of execution procedures, Governor Ivey rejected such requests and opted for an internal review. Barber’s execution is now scheduled, and the state is proceeding with the preparation for his lethal injection.