Gregory Hunt, convicted of beating Karen Lane to death in 1988, is set for execution in Alabama on Tuesday, marking the sixth execution in the U.S. using nitrogen gas. Hunt, who has been on death row since 1990, was found guilty of capital murder after breaking into Lane’s home and killing her following an act of sexual assault. Lane suffered around 60 injuries, primarily blunt force trauma to her head. A jury recommended a death sentence, which was imposed by a judge, despite Hunt’s claims of innocence regarding the sexual assault element of the crime.
Hunt recently filed a last-minute request for a stay of execution, arguing that prosecutors misled jurors regarding evidence related to the alleged sexual abuse. He cited a false claim about cervical mucus, given that Lane had undergone a hysterectomy. However, the Alabama attorney general dismissed these assertions as meritless, arguing they did not undermine the conviction.
Hunt acknowledged his crime during a prison interview, attributing it to jealousy fueled by drugs and alcohol. He expressed remorse, stating, “Karen didn’t deserve what happened to her,” and pointed to personal changes he has undergone since his incarceration, including leading a Bible class to help other inmates.
Lane’s family, particularly her sister, has voiced the lasting impact of the gruesome murder, describing it as devastating. Alabama’s use of nitrogen gas for executions is part of a recent shift in execution methods; the state previously conducted the first nitrogen gas execution last year. Hunt selected this method for his execution before the protocols were established, though alternatives like lethal injection and the electric chair are also available.
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