Joe Nathan James was arrested for the murder of Faith Mall, and sentenced to death 30 years ago.
Now Alabama prison is preparing to execute Joe for killing his ex-girlfriend. He is scheduled to be completed by lethal injection in an Alabama jail on Thursday night for the murder of his ex-girlfriend over three decades ago.
It’s an execution that the victim’s family has tried to prevent. In a motion filed with a lawyer’s assistance, James sought the United States Supreme Court to delay his execution.
He cites three points: that the victim’s family, her three children, no longer desired him executed; and the execution would contravene the victim’s First Amendment rights; which his execution would breach his First Amendment rights as a practicing Muslim, citing a passage from The Quran “2:178.”
Who Is Joe Nathan James? Wikipedia Bio
Joe Nathan James was convicted twice of capital murder after killing Faith Hall at a friend’s Birmingham residence on August 15, 1994. Hall was James’ ex-girlfriend, and according to court papers, he stalked and harassed her after they split up.
Referring to court documents, Hall and her grandmother filed three harassment and one theft police report against James in the year preceding her murder.
According to the complaints, James threatened to murder Hall, entered their home and damaged goods, banged on windows, constantly called, sat in the driveway, and more.
According to court papers, on the day of her murder, Hall went shopping with a friend and then returned to that friend’s apartment. When the couple exited their car, they observed James following them.
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Alabama Death Row Inmate Joe Nathan James Getting Executed Despite Family Pleas
The victim’s family pleaded with the court to not execute Joe Nathan, an Alabama death row inmate, but to give him a life sentence in prison. Her daughter told CNN that her mother was a very forgiving person and that she would also do the same.
Smith’s brother, Helvetius Hall, likewise advocated for a jail sentence rather than execution. He thinks Jame’s execution would not make anyone feel better because their mother is already gone.
The execution is scheduled to take place after over 25 years of legal wrangling in James’ case. James argued in a flurry of court papers in the weeks and days leading up to his scheduled execution that the state couldn’t execute him because he had ongoing legal matters. He also said he planned to switch his execution technique from lethal injection to nitrogen hypoxia.
However, there is no state-approved technique for death by nitrogen, and the US has never utilized it.
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Joe Nathan James’ Wife And Parents
Joe Nathan James received a call from his parents before receiving his execution. Meanwhile, James does not have a wife as he was not married and was jailed for killing his girlfriend.
As per Public Information Officer Kelly Betts, James had no visitors on Wednesday. He did make phone calls to his mother and attorney, James Ransom.
Many of Nathan’s family members and close friends know that he is soon going to be executed, but he has not been receiving final calls in his final moments.
He was seen consuming normal lunch and supper platters. James had no visitors on Thursday but spoke with Ransom and two other attorneys.