No. 19-7880

Nathaniel Woods v. Jefferson S. Dunn, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections, et al.

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2020-03-05
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
IFP
Tags: arbitrary-and-capricious arbitrary-discrimination arbitrary-punishment death-penalty due-process eighth-amendment equal-protection execution-method nitrogen-hypoxia suppressed-information
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Does the Eighth Amendment apply only to imposition of a death sentence, as the Eleventh Circuit held, or may a petitioner challenge, as arbitrary and capricious, how a death sentence is carried out?

2. If the Eighth Amendment does apply to the manner in which a death sentence is carried out, was it violated here where the State targeted Mr. Woods for execution based on his refusal to participate in the execution process?

3. Do the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses allow the State to suppress information vital to making a life-altering decision and then discriminate among individuals based on such suppressed information?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does the Eighth Amendment apply only to imposition of a death sentence, or may a petitioner challenge how a death sentence is carried out?

Docket Entries

2020-03-05
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due April 6, 2020)
2020-03-05
Application (19A976) for a stay of execution of sentence of death, submitted to Justice Thomas.
2020-03-05
Brief of respondents Jefferson S. Dunn, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections, et al. in opposition filed.
2020-03-05
Reply of petitioner Nathaniel Woods filed.
2020-03-05
UPON CONSIDERATION of the application of counsel for the applicant, IT IS ORDERED that execution of the sentence of death is hereby stayed pending further order of Justice Thomas or of the Court.
2020-03-05
Application (19A976) referred to the Court.
2020-03-05
Petition DENIED.
2020-03-05
Application (19A976) denied by the Court. The order heretofore entered by Justice Thomas is vacated.

Attorneys

Jefferson Dunn, Commissioner
Lauren Ashley SimpsonOffice of the Attorney General State of Alabama, Respondent
Nathaniel Woods
Marc Robert ShapiroOrrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Petitioner