Alabama is preparing to execute James Barber, 64, on Thursday evening for the 2001 murder of Dorothy Epps. This will be the state's first lethal injection since a pause was implemented last November following several failed attempts to establish IV lines in condemned inmates. Gov. Kay Ivey initiated the review after two executions were postponed due to IV access difficulties, and advocacy groups allege a third execution, though completed, was botched due to similar issues – a claim Alabama disputes.

Anti-death penalty organizations like Reprieve have expressed serious concerns about the upcoming execution, citing the state's recent history of problematic lethal injections. They argue that despite three consecutive instances of complications, Alabama officials claim to have found no deficiencies in their execution process.

Barber was convicted of bludgeoning 75-year-old Epps to death with a claw hammer and stealing her purse. He confessed to the crime. The jury recommended a death sentence by an 11-1 vote, which the judge subsequently imposed.

Barber's execution coincides with Oklahoma's execution of Jemaine Cannon for a 1995 murder. Barber's legal team has sought to halt the execution in federal court, referencing Alabama's past struggles with lethal injections. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request, stating that Barber's concerns about recurring issues were speculative, given the state's review and revisions to its procedures.

Barber's attorneys maintain that Alabama has demonstrated a repeated inability to carry out lethal injections constitutionally, citing the recurring IV access problems. The Alabama attorney general's office, however, insists the execution should proceed, asserting that the Department of Corrections has diligently addressed prior problems and provided documentation verifying the qualifications of the IV team. They emphasize the long wait for justice for Epps and her family.

Among the changes implemented after the review is an extension of the execution timeframe. The Alabama Supreme Court removed the midnight deadline, providing more time for IV insertion and addressing last-minute legal challenges. The state now has until 6 a.m. Friday to commence Barber's execution.