On Wednesday’s episode of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith brings viewers along to the hospital as she gets her first colonoscopy. She also discusses the importance of gut health with her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris, son Jaden Smith and medical experts.
In a clip shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Smith, 50, says that she feels “so relaxed” and “great” following the procedure — while still feeling the effects of the anesthesia.
For years, the First Lady had maintained an image of calm composure.
No matter what headlines appeared.
No matter what criticism came her way.
No matter how intense the political storms became.
She rarely showed emotion publicly.
That’s why viewers were so shocked when she appeared on a nationally televised interview and, for the first time, struggled to hold back tears.
The interview began normally enough.
The host asked about her charitable initiatives, her time in public life, and the challenges of balancing family responsibilities with the demands of living under constant public scrutiny.
The First Lady answered thoughtfully.
Confidently.
Just as she always had.
But then the conversation shifted.
The host asked a simple question:
“What has been the hardest part of your journey that people don’t know about?”
For a moment, she smiled politely.
Then she looked down.
The room became silent.
Viewers watching at home noticed the change immediately.
Her usual confidence seemed to disappear.
When she finally spoke, her voice sounded different.
More personal.
More vulnerable.
“People see the public life,” she said softly. “They see the events, the photographs, the speeches. They think they know everything.”
She paused.
“But they don’t see what happens behind the scenes.”
The audience listened carefully.
Some expected political revelations.
Others expected criticism of opponents or stories from inside government.
Instead, what followed was far more human.
The First Lady described years of pressure that came with living in the public eye.
Every mistake analyzed.
Every appearance criticized.
Every rumor repeated endlessly online.
She spoke about the emotional toll of feeling watched every moment of every day.
“Sometimes you feel like you stop being a person,” she admitted. “You become a headline.”
The audience remained completely silent.
Several people appeared visibly emotional.
Then came the moment that would dominate social media for days.
The First Lady revealed that during one particularly difficult period, she privately considered stepping away from public life altogether.
Not because she disliked serving the country.
But because the pressure had become overwhelming.
She described sleepless nights.
Fear for her family.
And the constant challenge of protecting loved ones from public judgment.
As she spoke, tears began forming in her eyes.
The interviewer appeared surprised.
Viewers at home were stunned.
This was a side of the First Lady nobody had seen before.
Not the polished public figure.
Not the carefully prepared speaker.
Just a person sharing genuine emotion.
“I kept telling myself to stay strong,” she said. “For my family. For everyone who believed in me.”
She paused again, wiping away tears.
“But some days were harder than people could ever imagine.”
Within minutes, clips from the interview flooded social media.
Millions watched.
Comment sections exploded.
Supporters praised her honesty.
Even many critics expressed sympathy after seeing the emotional exchange.
Political commentators who normally focused on policy suddenly found themselves discussing something different entirely:
The human cost of public life.
Over the following days, newspapers and television programs replayed the interview repeatedly.
Psychologists discussed the importance of vulnerability.
Former public officials shared similar experiences.
People from all political backgrounds related to the feeling of carrying burdens privately while appearing strong publicly.
For many viewers, the most powerful part of the interview wasn’t a shocking revelation.
It wasn’t a scandal.
It wasn’t a political bombshell.
It was something much simpler.
The reminder that behind every famous face, every title, and every headline is a human being dealing with struggles most people never see.
And sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who finally allow themselves to be vulnerable.
Indiana police located the body of a college-bound football star after he and three pals jumped off a bridge into a river during the deadly Indiana floods.
Matthew Morey, 18, was the sole person who remained missing after the friends leapt into the Mississinewa River near Muncie on Wednesday, with the dangerous flooding keeping rescue workers away until they finally found his body over the weekend.
“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child,” the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
High school football star Matthrew Morey died after jumping into a river during a deadly Indiana flood.
“Our hearts are with Matthew’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him,” officials added.
It remains unclear why Morey and the three others who were rescued had jumped into the raging waters during floods across central Indiana.
Grieving mother Angie Morey had held on to hope until the last minute that officers would be able to find her son after the search had been suspended due to the continued flooding.
‘I’m hurt and I need some help, and so we’re not there and I can’t get there,’ the crying mother told NBC News the day before Morey’s body was found.
“I can’t get to him because there’s no — I can’t get in a boat. If I had a boat, I swear to God I’d be in that water,” she added. “And my hope is that he’s still alive.”
Morey, a Delta High School graduate, planned to attend Purdue University in the fall, local WRTV reported.
Morey was among at least six people killed in the severe flooding that swept across Indiana in recent days, with rescues carrying on into the weekend.
Along with Morey, authorities said a four-year-old boy was killed after a tree fell on his home, and a woman was also swept away to her death after driving into the floodwaters.
More than a dozen counties have declared disaster emergencies, with much of the damage concentrated around the rivers in Hamilton County north of Indianapolis.
President Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state, with federal disaster assistance available to the affected areas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described the situation as the most severe flooding the city has experienced in more than 30 years, with hundreds of homes evacuated.
JD Vance’s ascent is no accident; it is the disciplined, methodical construction of a post-Trump future. While Democrats recycle old lines about “weirdness” and “unelectability,” Vance is stacking advantages:
early national polling leads, overwhelming favorability among Republicans, and a base that sees him not as a compromise, but as an heir. The AmericaFest landslide wasn’t a one-off stunt — it was a stress test of 2028, and he passed with room to spare.
What makes this moment volatile is the emotional transfer underway on the right. Erika Kirk’s pledge to fight for “48” crystallized a broader feeling: a wounded movement wants meaning, and Vance offers narrative, grievance, and a plan.
If Democrats continue to treat him as a punchline, they may wake up to find that the joke, and the country, have moved on without them.
When Michiel Vandeweert was a child, doctors told his family that he would probably not make it to age 12.
He had progeria, Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, a genetic disease so rare that it ages the body at a speed that gives no one enough time. Science estimates that the average lifespan with this condition is around 15 years.\
Michiel made it to 28 He never hid. At age 15, he published a book with his own story, “”Ik Ben Michiel,”” “”I Am Michiel.”” That title already explained everything: he did not want people to see him as a disease, but as a person.
He became a streamer. He played video games, made music as a DJ, and talked about his day-to-day life in front of a camera. He gained more than 90,000 followers across Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch—people who came to watch him play and stayed for him.
He won a Jamie Award for his gaming content. He was nominated for a Kastaar, one of the most important awards in Flemish television.
He had a younger sister, Amber, 20, who was also born with progeria. Together, they starred in a documentary this year, “”How To Be Alive: Amber and Michiel,”” in which they showed, without filters, what it means to inhabit a body racing against time.
He was a KRC Genk supporter. The club paid him a public tribute upon learning the news.
Doctors gave him 12 years. He used the extra 16 to tell his story, win awards, make thousands of strangers laugh, and leave behind a book with his name on the cover.
Diepenbeek opened a book of condolences. Somewhere in the lines of that book, someone will write that Michiel never lived in fear of the clock: he lived despite it.
When Jeni first met her husband Ray, she was certain of one thing — she never wanted children.
Ray wanted at least four kids. I thought that was crazy. Like, who has that many children?” Jeni told Mamamia.
Now, over three decades later, they are the proud parents of 16 children.
$600 every week on groceries
If you’re from Australia, you might have heard of them, but for me, it was a real shock when I first started reading about The Bonell Family.
Life for the Bonell family, who are raising 16 kids in Australia, is anything but ordinary. From feeding their large brood to coordinating the chaos of daily life, Jeni and Ray Bonell have mastered the art of juggling it all — and with a healthy dose of humor, too.
The Bonell family, from Queensland’s Toowoomba, is made up of nine boys and seven girls – Jesse, 35, Brooke, 34, Claire, 31, Natalie, 30, Karl, 28, Samuel, 26, Cameron, 25, Sabrina, 24, Tim, 22, Brandon, 20, Eve, 19, Nate, 17, Rachel, 16, Eric, 15, Damian, 14 and Katelyn, 10.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once joked, “You know what it’s like having a fourth kid? Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby.” So what’s it like to have sixteen kids?
Jeni, the mother at the helm, spends a staggering $600 every week on groceries just to keep their pantry stocked. With inflation hitting hard, that budget has crept up by $50. For a family of 18 (with 8 kids still living at home), it takes a lot to keep everyone well-fed.
The weekly grocery list is nothing short of impressive: 17 three-litre bottles of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and a whopping four dozen eggs.
“We go through 50 litres of milk each week and one to two loaves of bread every day,” says Jeni.
Getting a good family photo is difficult
It’s a logistical nightmare for anyone, but for the Bonells, it’s all part of the rhythm of life. The Bonell family’s home life is a carefully choreographed routine.
“Getting a good family photo is difficult,” says Jeni, laughing. “You need an extra-wide lens, and there’s always someone looking away, pulling a funny face, or with their eyes closed. But we enjoy those little quirks in the photos. They’re not picture perfect, but that’s part of the fun.”
With 16 kids, it’s not just about taking photos — it’s about keeping up with the whirlwind of daily life.
Imagine having 16 kids, a full-time job, part-time jobs, and a household to run. That’s the reality for Jeni and Ray.
“I used to think life was busy with little kids,” says Jeni, “but I’m certainly busier these days with older children.” Between coordinating three different schools, sporting activities, part-time jobs, and the older kids’ studies, it’s a juggling act. And yet, Jeni wouldn’t have it any other way. “Life is very hectic – but it’s good.”
The evening routine in their home is a perfect reflection of the Bonell family dynamic. “Take an average-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evening routine is like,” Jeni laughs.
Stretching every dollar
Some nights it’s total chaos; other nights, everything falls into place like a well-oiled machine. But regardless of how the evening unfolds, one thing is always consistent: dinner time. “Dinner is always great,” Jeni explains. “Some nights we have eight people at the table, other nights we have more than 20!”
The Bonells are pros at stretching every dollar. Jeni is known for her budget-friendly meals that cost between $2 and $10. She often shares her grocery trips on YouTube to help others manage their food costs.
“It’s a struggle for everyone at the moment,” says Jeni, “We’re all feeling that pinch with the budget.” To stay organized, Jeni uses a chore chart to divide household responsibilities, making sure everyone from age eight upwards pitches in. The kids are also taught to cook from a young age. “Our 12-year-old can put a roast dinner on for 20 people with almost no supervision,” Jeni says with pride.
The laundry load in a house like theirs is equally immense. Jeni does three full loads of laundry every day, which amounts to about six average-sized loads. And when it comes to grocery shopping, Jeni fills up two trolleys each week. “I always need one of the kids to help with the load,” she says.
The Bonell Family religion
When it comes to their finances, the Bonells have learned to make sacrifices. While they pay off their home mortgage, the financial pressures are still real. “It’s expensive and you definitely have to make sacrifices with your budget,” says Jeni. “But we all work, and our family doesn’t live off the taxpayer. However, we do get a lot of criticism for having so many kids.”
Although the Bonells are deeply religious and regularly attend church, Jeni insists that their large family isn’t solely the result of their strong faith.
God has a funny sense of humour,” says Jeni. They have no regrets, though. ”It just feels right for us,” says Ray, who works as an electrician. ”People have to do what’s right for them. Having 16 kids is not for everyone, but it’s what works for us.”
Despite their busy lives, Jeni and Ray find moments for themselves. “Do I get alone time with my wife? Of course, I do. We make time for each other,” says Ray with a smile. “It’s important to look after each other.”
Their two older children have now left home and are married, adding to the family dynamic as Jeni and Ray become grandparents to two grandchildren. It’s proof that the Bonell family just keeps growing. But with each addition, the love, laughter, and sense of togetherness only deepen.
Inside their roster system
In a family where organization is key, the Bonells have developed a solid routine. From prepping school uniforms and lunches the night before to creating a rotation system for chores, the Bonells make it work.
“We have a roster system, so when a kid turns eight, they get put on the roster,” says Jeni. “They rotate through chores like sweeping, mopping the floor, packing up the table, and helping with meal prep.”
When it comes to snacks, Jeni has a few favorites she shares with fans on YouTube, including air fryer egg cups and air fryer pizza bites. Both snacks are simple to prepare, freeze well, and are perfect for school lunches.
For the Bonells, it’s all about creating a system that allows everyone to pitch in and contribute. And despite the chaos of managing a household of 16, it’s clear that love, teamwork, and humor keep the Bonell family thriving.
Whether it’s feeding the kids, running a household, or finding time for a quick coffee date, the Bonells make it all work — and they do it with a smile.
At the end of the day, the Bonell family proves that with a little creativity, a lot of organization, and plenty of love, you can make just about anything work. Sure, raising 16 kids isn’t easy, but for Jeni and Ray, it’s all part of the adventure.
Whether it’s sharing tips on how to feed a crowd on a budget, keeping up with the endless laundry, or just enjoying the chaos of family life, the Bonells know how to make it happen. And through it all, they’re creating a home full of memories, laughter, and endless love. If there’s one thing we can all take away from this, it’s that family, no matter how big, is always worth it.
She screamed before she fell. No one understood why. By the time assist arrived, it was already too late, and an ordinary day had turned into a scene of horror. A woman, freshly washed, suddenly writhing in pain, collapsing on the floor of her own home.
People & Society
The products she used, the water, her own body—something headed fatally wron… Continues…
A wo,man d!es agonizing in her home after washing r… See more
The account centers on the specific events described above and the individuals directly involved. The circumstances developed step by step, with each detail changing how the situation was understood. What initially seemed simple became more complicated as the full sequence emerged.
Death & Tragedy
The essential point remains the same as in the original report: the outcome followed from the actions, choices, and discoveries described in the story. The retelling preserves those central facts while presenting them in fresh wording.
The account opens by making clear that she screamed before she fell. This establishes the circumstances that drive everything that follows, giving the later events their proper context.
A central detail in the report is that no one understood why. That specific detail matters because it changes how the surrounding events and the reactions of those involved should be understood.
The next part of the story explains that by the time help arrived, it was already too late, and an ordinary day had turned into a scene of horror. Rather than introducing a different storyline, this part develops the same sequence and preserves the meaning of the original account.
Another important point is that a woman, freshly washed, suddenly writhing in pain, collapsing on the floor of her own home. The reaction described in the source follows directly from this development and becomes essential to the outcome.
Hygiene & Toiletries
As the sequence continues, the source notes that the products she used, the water, her own body—something went fatally wron… Continues… A wo,man d! Seen together with the earlier details, this explains why the situation attracted attention and why the conclusion carried such weight.
The situation becomes clearer when the account reveals that es agonizing in her home after washing r… This part of the account connects the initial event with the consequences described later, keeping the focus on the people and facts in the source.
The original report also emphasizes that see more VERY CAREFUL: A woman dies agonizing in her home after washing r… See more It adds necessary context without changing the central claim, sequence, or outcome reported in the original article.
By the end of the account, it is clear that she screamed before she fell. This is the point that brings the article’s main events together and preserves the core message of the source.
The account opens by making clear that no one understood why. This establishes the circumstances that drive everything that follows, giving the later events their proper context
A central detail in the report is that by the time help arrived, it was already too late, and an ordinary day had turned into a scene of horror. That specific detail matters because it changes how the surrounding events and the reactions of those involved should be understood.
The next part of the story explains that a woman, freshly washed, suddenly writhing in pain, collapsing on the floor of her own home. Rather than introducing a different storyline, this part develops the same sequence and preserves the meaning of the original account.
Language Resources
Another important point is that the products she used, the water, her own body—something went fatally wron… Continues… A wo,man d! The reaction described in the source follows directly from this development and becomes essential to the outcome.
As the sequence continues, the source notes that es agonizing in her home after washing r… Seen together with the earlier details, this explains why the situation attracted attention and why the conclusion carried such weight.
The products she used, the water, her own body—something headed fatally wron… Continues…
A wo,man d!es agonizing in her home after washing r… See more
The account centers on the specific events described above and the individuals directly involved. The circumstances developed step by step, with each detail changing how the situation was understood. What initially seemed simple became more complicated as the full sequence emerged.
The essential point remains the same as in the original report: the outcome followed from the actions, choices, and discoveries described in the story. The retelling preserves those central facts while presenting them in fresh wording.
Bottled Water
At the center of the story is an ordinary moment that gradually became impossible to ignore. The people involved believed they understood what was happening, yet each new detail changed the picture. Assumptions were made quickly, conversations became tense, and old frustrations returned before anyone had taken the time to examine the facts carefully.
As the situation unfolded, communication began to break down. Some people reacted from fear, others from pride, and several important questions remained unanswered. Actions that seemed confusing at first began to make more sense once the hidden circumstances came to light. The truth did not excuse every mistake, but it explained why the conflict had grown so quickly.
The turning point arrived when one overlooked detail finally surfaced. It forced everyone to reconsider their earlier judgments and confront the possibility that they had been wrong. Instead of a simple story with a clear villain and victim, the reality involved complicated motives, private struggles, and decisions made under pressure.
In the aftermath, the people involved had to decide what mattered more: defending their pride or repairing the damage. Honest conversations could not erase what had happened, but they created a chance for accountability and understanding. The experience became a reminder that reacting to incomplete information can cause lasting harm.
Social Scienc
The lasting lesson is simple: listen before judging, verify facts before reacting, and remember that people often carry burdens they have never explained. Stories like this resonate because they reflect familiar emotions—love, fear, disappointment, loyalty, grief, and hope. Circumstances may differ, but patience and honesty can change the outcome when the truth finally comes to light.
After pictures of Sarah Palin, 61, went viral and were accompanied by dramatic headlines, she attracted fresh interest on the internet. Palin has long been a character that elicits strong responses, mostly due to her involvement in American politics and public discourse. However, the latest debate focused more on looks than on philosophy or policy, demonstrating how public personalities are frequently perceived through varying and perhaps unjust prisms.
Palin has continued to be a visible figure over the years, moving from political office to media employment, public speaking, and writing. No matter the situation, she has always been confident and self-assured. For public personalities, photos taken in informal or private moments are common, but once removed from their original context and magnified online, they frequently acquire inflated significance.
Though split, the public’s reaction to the images has been instructive. Advocates emphasized that comfort and confidence are not confined by age, arguing that age should not determine how someone is viewed or assessed. Others emphasized how appearance-driven narratives may swiftly eclipse decades of professional skill and public service, highlighting the ongoing double standard that women in the public spotlight must contend with.
Sarah Palin’s identity is clearly defined at this point in her life. A career that has developed across politics, the media, and cultural discourse cannot be fully redefined by a single collection of photos. The focus is a reminder of how quickly headlines may skew perception rather than “proof” of anything remarkable. Visibility, tenacity, and an obvious presence that never fails to provoke discussion continue to characterize Palin as a figure.
Bruce Willis remains surrounded by a close and supportive family as he continues living with frontotemporal dementia, commonly known as FTD. The actor, remembered around the world for an extraordinary Hollywood career, has largely stepped away from public life, while his loved ones occasionally share thoughtful updates about how the family is adapting.
Family
Willis originally stepped away from acting after his family announced that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that can affect a person’s ability to communicate. His family later revealed that doctors had reached a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Since then, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, has become an important voice for families and caregivers learning how to navigate life with dementia.
Recent family comments have offered a clearer picture of Bruce’s life today. Emma has explained that his form of FTD primarily affects language and communication. She has also addressed a common misconception surrounding dementia, explaining that Bruce continues to recognize his family members. Although communication has changed, the emotional connection between Bruce and those closest to him remains an important part of their time together.
His oldest daughter, Rumer Willis, has also spoken warmly about visiting her father. She has explained that their relationship is naturally different today, but she continues to appreciate the opportunity to spend time with him. Rumer has described noticing a tenderness in her father and has emphasized the importance of appreciating their connection as it exists now.
Family has remained at the center of Bruce’s world. He shares three adult daughters — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah — with his former wife, actress Demi Moore. He also shares two younger daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, with Emma. Despite the changes brought by his condition, the extended family has continued to demonstrate a strong sense of unity.
Demi Moore has remained part of that supportive family circle as well. Over the years, she has spoken about approaching Bruce’s situation with acceptance and focusing on meeting him where he is today rather than comparing the present with the past. The relationship between Emma, Demi and Bruce’s five daughters has become an example of how a blended family can remain connected during challenging circumstances.
Emma has also increasingly focused on supporting caregivers and raising awareness about brain health. Her experience caring for Bruce has encouraged her to discuss the emotional and practical realities that families can face when someone they love develops dementia. Her public work emphasizes the importance of education, support systems and recognizing that caregivers also need care.
For longtime fans, updates about Bruce naturally carry strong emotions. Yet his family’s message has consistently focused less on sadness and more on connection, adaptation and appreciating meaningful moments.
Bruce Willis may no longer live the highly public life that once accompanied his successful film career, but he remains surrounded by the people who matter most to him. His family’s recent comments suggest that love, familiar faces and meaningful connections continue to play an important role in his life as they navigate this chapter together.
Alabama is set to execute Jeremy Williams tonight by lethal injection for the 2021 rape and murder of 5 year-old Kamarie Holland – a crime he recorded on his cellphone.
The 41-year-old death row inmate pleaded guilty, and though the death penalty case still had to go to trial, he prohibited his attorneys from presenting any evidence that could help spare his life.
The execution is set to take place beginning at 6 p.m. at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Update 4:55 p.m.: Reporters have been taken in a van to the prison where the execution will occur.
Update 4:22 p.m.: Williams requested a cheese pizza for his last meal.
In the last 24 hours, Williams was visited by his wife, mother, stepmother, brother and father, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. He also spoke on the phone with his grandmother and aunt.
Update 11:45 a.m.: Corey Holland, Kamarie’s father, told the Associated Press that his daughter was an exuberant 5-year-old who loved princesses and made people laugh.
“She loved playing dress-up, all her little Halloween costumes and her princess stuff I got her. She liked anything girly,” Corey Holland said.
Update 11:50 a.m.: Holland told news in Columbus, GA, that he has been barred from viewing tonight’s execution because he was charged in 2022 with violating a custody order by allowing Kamarie to go with her mother, who did not have custody at the time.
A prison spokesperson told AL.com that it is the Alabama Attorney General’s Office that decides who is allowed to view an execution. The attorney general’s office has not responded to a request for comment.
Original story continues here:
Thursday, making it the first time since 2010 that three people are put to death on the same day in the U.S., the Associated Press reports.
Williams’ conviction and death sentence automatically underwent an appeals review, but both were upheld by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
A competency evaluation determined, “he knew his life was at stake,” the appeals court judges found.
Williams began writing letters to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and Gov. Kay Ivey in 2025 asking to waive any further appeals and for an execution date to be set, which Ivey did on June 18.
Rick Chancey, the district attorney in Russell County, that he was “doing everything I can to move this along to the end.”
“This is a terrible human being, and he did a tremendous amount of damage over the years,” Chancey said. “What he did to this little girl, and he’s raped others, killed her on video and then raped her dead body is one of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen.”
The crime
Siple told authorities she went to sleep about midnight and awoke to find her daughter gone and the front door open.
Columbus police quickly identified Williams as a potential suspect. Williams and Siple, according to court records, had a sexual relationship and Siple would sometimes leave her children in Williams’ care.
Back across the state line in Alabama, investigators executed a search warrant at Williams’ address in Phenix City, a vacant house where they found Kamarie’s naked body in the basement, covered by a tarp.
Investigators also tied Kamarie’s mother to the crime.
Siple agreed to let Williams sexually abuse her daughter for $2,500, but the amount was reduced to $1,300 after negotiations. In March 2024, she pled guilty to sex trafficking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. A murder charge was dismissed under the plea agreement.
Williams never paid Siple the money. He told investigators he smoked meth and forced Kamarie to smoke meth as well.
He then sexually abused her before he strangled her to death.
The appeals court noted that Williams used his cell phone to record him raping Kamarie both before and after her death.
Williams has been charged with crimes against children before.
In 2009, a jury in Alabama acquitted him after he was charged with putting a boy he was babysitting in scalding hot water, causing severe burns, according to the charging document
In 2022, Alaska authorities charged him with second-degree murder.
Execution record
Williams’ execution will be the 26th overseen by Gov. Kay Ivey, setting a record among Alabama governors since the moratorium on capital punishment was officially lifted in 1977.
She currently ranks third in all-time Alabama history, tied with Gov. Bob Riley at 25 executions and behind Govs. Bibb Graves (1920s and 1930s) and Frank Dixon (1939-1943), according to data from the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Gov. Ivey’s office declined to comment.
Nationwide, clemency is “extremely rare,” with less than 1% of people on death row having their sentences commuted. Meanwhile, the use of the death penalty in states where it’s legal has “risen sharply” –
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The Alabama Attorney General’s Office took the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court on the night of the scheduled execution, hoping the justices would let the state proceed. But the high court declined to review the case, and the execution was called off.
The high court’s ruling meant Alabama couldn’t put Lee to death using nitrogen gas: It didn’t mean the state couldn’t put him to death using another method. lethal injection is the state’s default execution method.