In a deeply unsettling turn of events, Alabama is set to execute a man convicted of the tragic 1997 murder of a store clerk, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over capital punishment in the United States. This execution will be particularly notable as it will utilize nitrogen gas, a method that has sparked considerable discussion and controversy.
Geoffrey Todd West, now 50 years old, is scheduled to face execution on Thursday evening at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility located in southern Alabama. He was found guilty of capital murder for the shooting death of 33-year-old Margaret Parrish Berry during a robbery at a gas station. Berry’s son has been vocal in his plea to Alabama’s governor, urging her to reconsider West’s death sentence and instead impose a life sentence without parole.
This execution is one of two planned for Thursday across the nation, with Texas also preparing to carry out a lethal injection on the same night.
The Crime
On March 28, 1997, Margaret Berry, a mother of two, was shot while she lay on the floor behind the counter of Harold’s Chevron in Etowah County. Prosecutors argued that the motive behind the murder was to eliminate any potential witnesses to the crime. According to court documents, a mere $250 was stolen from a cookie jar that served as the store's cash reserve. West’s girlfriend, who was involved in the robbery, agreed to testify against him in exchange for a significantly reduced sentence of 35 years.
A jury ultimately convicted West of capital murder during the robbery, with a recommendation for the death penalty that was supported by a 10-2 vote. The presiding judge, William Cardwell, expressed his internal conflict about sentencing a young man to death but ultimately described the murder as “intentional, carried out execution-style.”
Acknowledgment of Regret
West does not dispute his role in the death of Margaret Berry. Reflecting on his actions from the perspective of a 50-year-old man, he struggles to comprehend the choices he made at just 21. He and his girlfriend were in dire financial straits, which led them to rob the very store where he had once been employed.
"Not a single day passes without my deep regret and longing to undo what I did," West shared with The Associated Press. He expressed a heartfelt desire to apologize to Berry’s family, stating, "I am profoundly sorry for the pain I have caused. I wish to convey my sincerest apologies for what I have taken from you, and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."
A Son’s Plea for Mercy
Will Berry, one of Margaret’s sons, has taken a stand against the execution, appealing to Governor Kay Ivey to spare West’s life and allow him to serve a life sentence instead. Will has publicly stated that he has forgiven West, believing that forgiveness aligns with what his mother would have wanted.
"I do not wish for this man to die. Vengeance is not the role of the state; it belongs to a higher power," Will Berry asserted. Recently, he participated in a vigil alongside opponents of the death penalty outside the Alabama Capitol, where he delivered a petition to the governor’s office advocating for a halt to the execution.
In response, Governor Ivey acknowledged Will’s sentiments in a letter dated September 11, but emphasized that Alabama law mandates the death penalty for the most heinous crimes. "As governor, I have a solemn responsibility to uphold these laws," she wrote.
During her tenure, Ivey has commuted only one death sentence, citing doubts about the individual’s guilt as the reason for her decision.
A Missed Connection
In a poignant twist, West and Will Berry exchanged letters leading up to the execution, expressing a desire to meet face-to-face. However, their request was denied by the state due to security concerns.
The Method of Execution
West’s execution will employ nitrogen gas, a method that involves placing a gas mask over the inmate’s face and forcing them to inhale pure nitrogen, which deprives the body of the oxygen necessary for survival. Nitrogen is a naturally occurring, inert gas that constitutes 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere and is generally harmless when mixed with sufficient oxygen.
After Alabama lawmakers approved nitrogen gas as a method of execution in 2018, the Alabama Department of Corrections allowed death row inmates a brief period to select their preferred execution method. West was among several inmates who chose nitrogen, although at that time, the state had yet to establish the procedures for its use.
Alabama conducted the nation’s first execution by nitrogen gas in 2024, and to date, six individuals have been executed using this method—five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Despite this new method, lethal injection remains the primary means of execution in Alabama.
A Call for Discussion
This case raises significant questions about justice, forgiveness, and the morality of capital punishment. Should the state have the authority to take a life, even in the face of remorse and calls for mercy? What do you think about the use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution? We invite you to share your thoughts and engage in this critical conversation.
