Alabama Inmate Geoffrey West Executed by Nitrogen Gas for 1997 Murder

Alabama has carried out the execution of Geoffrey Todd West, 50, by nitrogen gas, for the 1997 murder of convenience store clerk Margaret Parrish Berry. The execution took place at William C. Holman Correctional Facility, marking another use of the controversial method Alabama pioneered in 2024. West was pronounced dead after appearing to struggle for breath during the procedure.

Despite an apology from West to Berry’s family and pleas from Berry’s son, Will, to spare his life, Governor Kay Ivey allowed the execution to proceed. Will Berry, who was 11 when his mother was killed, had expressed forgiveness and stated that taking another life would not bring healing. Both Berry and West had sought to meet prior to the execution, but the request was denied by the Alabama Department of Corrections citing security protocols.

West, who had been baptized this year, expressed peace in his final statement provided by his attorney. He had previously admitted to the killing, expressing deep regret for the robbery that resulted in Berry’s death. Prosecutors maintained that Berry was shot execution-style to eliminate witnesses after $250 was stolen from the store.

The Federal Defenders Office, representing West, criticized the denial of the meeting as a “lost opportunity” and urged societal reflection on capital punishment, mercy, and redemption. This execution is part of a growing trend, with nitrogen gas now having been used in seven executions nationally, six of which have occurred in Alabama since its introduction as an execution method.

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