In 2004 the lives of three families were forever changed. Three Alabama officers were gunned down, killed, by who the state would later identify as Nathaniel Woods. For many, however, there are questions regarding his innocence.

Activists on Facebook took to the page of Governor, Kay Ivey, with the hastag, #FreeNate. While this has been going on for sometime, it has recently gained momentum. Much of the momentum stems from his execution date, which is March 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm. As per protocol, defense attorneys have contacted the Govenor in attempt to stop this from taking place. However, the office of Kay Ivey has outright ignored these requests.

In the case regarding the shooting, another individual had taken accountability as being the gunman. Regardless of this, it is evident that the state will proceed with the execution. The issue we see in this derives from the other individual who took accountability. Because of this, it opens the door to plausible doubt. With plausible doubt, the state should, if Woods were to have a legitimate fair and impartial, review the new evidence.

While activists continue to fight for the life of Woods, the clock continues to tick, potentially sealing the doors to justice. While it is very possible that he is the shooter, the concept that he isn’t, should at least be entertained. In any competent justice system, reviewing potential evidence, especially regarding a man who will die in mere hours, would be mamdated. However, Governor Ivey seems more determined to execute, regardless of the secondary confession.