Man Executed For 1996 Killing After Supreme Court Votes Down Last-Minute Appeal
An inmate has been controversially put to death for a murder that took place nearly 26 years ago.
On Thursday, January 27, the US Supreme Court lifted a court order and put 43-year-old Matthew Reeves to death via lethal injection.
The defence had tried to fight for a less 'torturous' method of execution, claiming that Reeves had an intellectual disability, however the court decided to side with the state.
Reeves was pronounced dead at 9.24pm CST.
BREAKING: The US Supreme Court has ruled in Matthew Reeves' case. The execution will move forward tonight. https://t.co/gtXGpaCD39 pic.twitter.com/gDi4VDEJh8
— Lee Hedgepeth (@lee_hedgepeth) January 28, 2022
On November 27, 1996, a driver named Willie Johnson Jr. was shot and killed with a gun after he picked up a number of people, including Reeves, from the side of a highway in Selma.
Evidence from the case revealed that after the killing, which saw Johnson robbed of a total of $360, Reeves went on to attend a party, where he allegedly mocked and mimicked Johnson's death. An eyewitness claimed that Reeves' hands were still stained with blood at the party, AP News reports.
Reeves was later convicted of capital murder for Johnson's death.
Matthew Reeves sits alone in a death cell. The lives of everyone involved in his execution continue as normal. https://t.co/faBEspDkPk
— The Woods Foundation (@thewoodsfdn) January 26, 2022
Up until the execution, Reeves' lawyers tried to fight for the ruling to be overturned, arguing that he had an intellectual disability and subsequently had different rights under federal disability law. They also questioned the method in which the state planned to execute Reeves.
In 2018, inmates on death row in Alabama were given a choice between death by lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia, after the method of inmates breathing in nitrogen opposed to oxygen was approved by legislators.
However, Reeves did not fill out the form, which his lawyers argued was because of his first grade reading level and language competency of a four-year-old, and a lack of help from the state. They subsequently sued under the American With Disabilities Act.
By a 5–4 vote, the Supreme Court permits the execution of Matthew Reeves by lethal injection—even though he did not have a fair opportunity to choose a less painful alternative due to cognitive deficiencies.
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) January 28, 2022
Kagan, Sotomayor, Breyer, and BARRETT dissent. https://t.co/3q0nLNVOO5 pic.twitter.com/jhSAljF7AN
A district judge previously ruled that Reeves had to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, despite the method having never been used before.
On Wednesday, January 26, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the judge hadn't made the wrong call. However, on Thursday evening, the Supreme Court overturned the decision.
6 days agoThe execution was given the go ahead to proceed, but via lethal injection, though the decision was reached by a very divided court, with a number of Justices split on the decision.
'The immense authority of the Supreme Court should be used to protect its citizens, not to strip them of their rights without explanation,' Reeves' attorney stated.
John Palombi, lawyer for Matthew Reeves, just sent me this statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision to allow his client's execution. "The immense authority of the Supreme Court should be used to protect its citizens, not to strip them of their rights without explanation." pic.twitter.com/QUbdife0w8
— Lee Hedgepeth (@lee_hedgepeth) January 28, 2022
The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals had been asked by the state to allow the execution and lift a lower court injunction, however on Wednesday the panel refused.
It was only when Alabama appealed case to the nation's highest court that the order went through.
Governor Kay Ivey said Johnson Jr. was a 'good Samaritan lending a helping hand', and that the sentencing of Reeves to death by lethal injection was 'fair'.
'Tonight, justice was rightfully served,' she said.
The US Supreme Court allowed Alabama to go ahead with the execution of Matthew Reeves, an intellectually disabled Black man. Justice Barrett voted against permitting the execution. Justices Kagan, Breyer, and Sotomayor also voted against the execution and published a dissent.
— Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) January 28, 2022
Johnson's family were reportedly present at Reeves' execution, according to prison officials.
A written statement from the family read: 'After 26 years justice [has] finally been served. Our family can now have some closure.'
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
