Nathaniel Woods: Furious backlash from MLK III, Kim Kardashian and others after black man executed for murders he did not commit
Nathaniel Woods was executed by the state of Alabama on Thursday night, despite a desperate fight from his supporters to prove that he was an innocent man and a short last-minute stay from the Supreme Court.
Woods, 43, offered no last words prior to his execution. He was pronounced dead at 9.01pm local time.
Woods was convicted in 2005 for being an accomplice to the murder of three police officers, Charles Bennett, Carlos “Curly” Owen and Harley Chisholm III. However, the actual shooter - who is also awaiting execution - said Mr Woods was not involved. Additionally, Mr Woods’ lawyers missed important deadlines in their client’s appeals process.
Mr Woods had a base of supporters who maintained his innocence and who tried to buy him more time so they could submit evidence on his behalf.
Since the time of his arrest, Mr Woods has argued that he was innocent.
Activists and celebrities including Martin Luther King III and Kim Kardashian West attempted to rally support for Mr Woods to stop his execution.
“In the case of Nathaniel Woods, the actions of the US Supreme Court and the Governor of the State of Alabama are reprehensible, and have potentially contributed to an irreversible injustice. It makes a mockery of justice and constitutional guarantees to a fair trial,” Mr King said.
In the case of Nathaniel Woods, the actions of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Governor of the State of Alabama are reprehensible, and have potentially contributed to an irreversible injustice. It makes a mockery of justice and constitutional guarantees to a fair trial.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3)
“Nate will die for a crime another man confessed to and says Nate had nothing to do with. My heart and prayers are with Nate and his family and all the advocates who worked tirelessly to save his life,” Ms Kardashian West said.
Woods had a short-lived period of respite when the Supreme Court announced it would temporarily stay Woods’ execution. The decision was later reverse and Woods was executed.
Thousands of people, including Woods' family, attempted to appeal to the governor to grant him clemency, including sending a Change.org petition with more than 100,000 signatures supporting the man.
Senator Doug Jones issued a statement on Thursday expressing a desire to take another look at the case.
“Given the questions and mitigating issues involved in this case - and the finality of a death sentence - a delay is warranted to provide time for a thorough review of all the facts and circumstances to truly ensure that justice is done,” his statement said.
According to court documentation, Mr Woods and his friend Kerry Spencer were arguing with the slain police officers earlier on the day of their deaths.
Mr Spencer was eventually convicted of shooting the the police, but maintained that Mr Woods had nothing to do with the crime.
“Nathaniel Woods is 100% innocent, I know that to be a fact because I’m the person that shot and killed all three of the officers,” Mr Woods wrote in a letter. “Nathaniel Woods doesn’t even deserve to be incarcerated, much less executed.”
Family members of the officers who died attended the execution and said that Mr Woods was as guilty as Mr Spencer.
“Our loved ones took their last breath while upholding the law to make [Birmingham] a safer place. Our families will not have closure until Kerry Spencer’s execution date. May God have mercy on their souls. Until then may our loved ones rest in peace,” Rhonda Hembd, the sister of Harley Chisholm said.
