Nathaniel Woods Execution: Outrage On Social Media Amid Activist Calls On Alabama Laws

Nathaniel Woods’ execution pushed through on Thursday evening, despite repeated calls for a reprieve on his sentence. Activists and citizens alike took to Twitter to express their dismay over the state’s decision.

According to CNN, Woods’ relatives said the execution was only a form of “partial justice.” They said Woods, who was sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the killings of three police officers in 2004, was not represented properly during early hearings.

Aside from his family members who retain his innocence and culpability in trial, influential people and activists have also taken to social media to question Alabama’s decision, including the son of Martin Luther King Jr.

Shortly after Woods was executed, Martin Luther King III tweeted that Woods’ death could have “potentially contributed to an irreversible injustice.” King added that the decision was “a mockery of justice.”

Activist Shaun King also expressed his disappointment on Twitter after the Supreme Court lifted the stay of execution earlier in the night on Thursday. He said Woods’ supporters were “crushed.”

Among other people who voiced their thoughts through social media after Woods’ execution were actress Candace Renee Rice, Michigan politician Justin Amash, actress and activist Mia Farrow, reality star Kim Kardashian West, and founder of Faith Empowered Ministries Pastor West.

An hour after news of Woods’ execution came out, reporter Beth Shelburne said on Twitter that she just finished speaking with Kimberly Chisholm Simmons over the phone. Simmons reportedly called Woods’ death “unjust” and she does not understand why the state lifted the stay. “He did not kill my brother,” Shelburne quoted Simmons to have said.

Woods was convicted for his alleged involvement in the killings of police officers Charles Bennett, Carlos Owen, and the brother of Simmons, Harley Chisolm. Kerry Spencer, who was also placed on death row, was the suspect identified to have pulled the trigger.

According to the Daily Beast, Spencer admitted that he was the gunman in the killings but Alabama prosecutors argued that Woods conspired with Spencer in setting up an ambush in the murders.

Several hours before Woods was executed by lethal injection, the U.S. Supreme Court lodged a temporary stay as justices reviewed the defense team’s clemency request. The stay was lifted, followed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declined to intervene in the execution.

Only courts and the state governor can intervene during an execution. Woods did not have any last words before his death, authorities said.