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In a dramatic turn of events at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, Carey Dale Grayson was executed on Thursday evening for his role in the brutal 1994 murder and mutilation of a hitchhiker in Jefferson County. The execution, which drew attention to the use of nitrogen gas as a method of death, has reignited debates over the ethics and effectiveness of the death penalty.

Grayson's final moments were laden with tension as he was granted the opportunity to deliver his last words through a microphone held by the warden, Terry Raybon. However, Raybon abruptly cut the transmission when Grayson began his statement with an expletive. Despite the interruption, observers noted Grayson's explicit gestures, including raising his middle finger toward the media witnesses.

Speaking at a press conference after the execution, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm justified the decision to cut Grayson's final remarks short, citing his disruptive and profane behavior throughout the evening. According to Hamm, Grayson’s initial outburst was sufficient to warrant the silencing.

Kacey Keeton, Grayson's attorney and spiritual advisor, who was present during the execution, revealed that Grayson had intended to express deep remorse for his crime. Keeton stated that Grayson admitted to committing a horrible act and had been seeking forgiveness for over three decades. Grayson reportedly emphasized his repentance and his hope that others would recognize the state's role in carrying out such executions.

The execution process, which began at 6:12 p.m., involved the administration of nitrogen gas through a mask placed over Grayson's face. Witnesses observed Grayson's body reacting violently before he was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. Hamm commented on Grayson's visible movements, attributing early motions to Grayson's attempts to create a spectacle and later movements to the physiological effects of the gas.

Grayson's execution marks the third use of nitrogen gas for the death penalty in the United States, all conducted in Alabama. He was convicted for his involvement in the February 1994 kidnapping and murder of 37-year-old Vicki Lynn Deblieux. Deblieux, who was hitchhiking from Chattanooga to visit her mother in Louisiana, was abducted by Grayson and three other men—Kenny Loggins, Trace Duncan, and Louis Mangione. Her mutilated body was discovered days later at the base of Bald Rock Mountain.

The case's chilling nature was underscored by the detailed recounting of Deblieux's ordeal and death, which involved her being killed and dismembered before her remains were thrown from a cliff. Each of the perpetrators was deemed a "ringleader" in separate trials.

Vicki Lynn Deblieux's daughter, Jodi Haley, attended the execution and later spoke about her late mother, describing her as unique, spontaneous, and lively. Haley also took the opportunity to voice her opposition to the death penalty, highlighting the severe abuse Grayson endured during his childhood. She questioned the justice system's failure to address such trauma, suggesting that Grayson's troubled past contributed to the tragedy.

Haley criticized the notion of retributive justice, arguing that state-sanctioned executions perpetuate a cycle of violence and do not bring true justice. She called for a reevaluation of such punitive measures, hoping her mother's tragic death might inspire change and prevent future injustices.

Ahead of his execution, Grayson declined breakfast and lunch but opted for coffee and Mountain Dew. His final meal consisted of soft tacos, beef burritos, a tostada, chips with guacamole, and a Mountain Dew Blast from a nearby restaurant.

The contentious nature of Carey Grayson's execution and the broader implications of the death penalty remain topics of significant public and legal debate.