https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/politics/supreme-court-alabama-inmate-ruling/index.htmlThe Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the execution of an Alabama inmate, Willie B. Smith III, who said he wanted his spiritual adviser present in the execution chamber.
Alabama had asked the justices to reverse a lower court ruling and allow the execution to proceed without the adviser present in the chamber.
The court denied the request.
The exact vote count was unclear, although Justice Elena Kagan -- joined by Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor -- wrote to explain why they voted to block the execution.
Kagan said that the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals was "right to bar Alabama from executing Smith without his pastor by his side" and she rejected security concerns put forward by the Alabama Department of Corrections.
"The law guarantees Smith the right to practice his faith free from unnecessary interference, including at the moment the State puts him to death," Kagan wrote.
She said Alabama could take "any number of measures" to make sure that a clergy member will act responsibly during an execution, including doing a background check on the minister.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh explained why they would have granted Alabama's request, citing the state's security concerns.
Justice Clarence Thomas did not join that opinion but he simply noted he too would have granted Alabama's request. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch were silent as to their vote.
Smith is on death row for the 1991 murder of 22-year-old Sharma Ruth Johnson, who he shot in the head as she swore not to reveal his crimes, according to court papers.
Do you agree with the ruling? Which justice's position is the most surprising? Which Justice's position is the least surprising?
