After the Supreme Court cleared the way at 2:00 am this morning, the Federal Government proceeded with the first Federal execution in years at 8:00 am this morning.
Daniel Lee Lewis was pronounced dead at 8:07 am this morning.
Link to the unsigned per curiam decision for the majority. While unsigned, the tone and style clearly indicate Justice Thomas wrote this. He is the most ardent supporter of the death penalty on the court. Additionally, there is a dissent by Justice Breyer, joined by Justice Ginsburg and a separate dissent by Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justices Ginsburg and Kagan.
I support the Judgement of the court. The stay granted by the District Court that was just vacated follows a truly asinine stay issued by another District Court a few days ago, that was dealt with by the Seventh Circuit. The families of the victims requested a stay as they were afraid to travel to witness the execution during the Covid-19 epidemic. And the idiot court granted it. Witnessing an execution is a COURTESY extended to the families, not a RIGHT. The Seventh Circuit, fortunately, disposed of that stupidity themselves without bothering the Supreme Court.
Then another order came down from the District of Columbia. The DC Circuit did not dispose of that delay, so the Supreme Court did, at 2:00 am, so that this execution could finally proceed.
