Stop the Execution of David Roberts in Alabama

Governor Kay Ivey

David Roberts is scheduled for execution in Alabama on August 21, 2025 for the 1992 murder of Annetra Jones. [UPDATE: THIS EXECUTION DATE HAS BEEN STAYED PENDING A COMPETENCY EVALUATION]

Join the Virtual Sit In

Call Gov. Ivey at 334-242-7100 with the following message:

"Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to encourage Gov. Ivey to stop the 8/21 execution of David Roberts. We are not advocating for the release of Mr. Roberts, but given the complex mental illness he lives with, we believe that he is deserving of mercy not death. Please grant clemency to David Roberts so that he can live the remainder of his natural life in a hospital prison. Additionally, the practice of judicial override has been outlawed all across the US, including in Alabama - meaning if Mr. Roberts was tried today, they would have been unable to impose death."

  • Mr. Roberts has lived with inherited, generational mental illness since his teens. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. These conditions along with persistent growing threats against his family from a known criminal created a situation where Mr. Roberts could be – and was – substantially dominated and manipulated into violent acts by another person. Further details are at Clemencyfordavidlee.com.
  • Mr. Roberts’ jury voted for a sentence of life without the possibility of parole which the judge overrode.

The execution method to be used, nitrogen gas asphyxiation is neither quick nor painless, but agonizing and painful as was demonstrated at the executions last year. It amounts to cruel and unusual punishment which is barred by the U.S. Constitution.

If carried out, it would be the nation’s seventh execution by nitrogen gas, a method Alabama began using last year as an alternative to lethal injection.

While the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Alabama has continued to go against trend by carrying on with scheduled execution dates.  Additionally, the State of Alabama has repeatedly shown blatant incompetence in carrying out executions - they need to pause ALL executions to allow for meaningful review of their protocols.

In Partnership with Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Additional Information and Action Opportunities Regarding Alabama Executions

  • Click here for information about Gas Suffocation Executions
  • Click here for The Pull Back The Curtains Campaign to Demand Full Transparency in Alabama Executions


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Death Penalty Action

To: Governor Kay Ivey
From: [Your Name]

In light of the scheduled August 21, 2025 execution of David Roberts, we urge a halt to his and all executions in Alabama.

Mr. Roberts has suffered from inherited, generational mental illness since his teens. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. These conditions along with persistent growing threats against his family from a known criminal created a situation where Mr. Roberts could be – and was – substantially dominated and manipulated into violent acts by another person. Further details are at ​Clemencyfordavidlee.com​.

Additionally, Mr. Roberts’ jury voted for a sentence of life without the possibility of parole which the judge overrode.

The execution method to be used, nitrogen gas asphyxiation, is neither quick nor painless, but agonizing and painful as was demonstrated at the executions last year. It amounts to cruel and unusual punishment which is barred by the U.S. Constitution.

Alabama ought to delay all executions to allow for a thorough study of its capital punishment process and consider the serious objections raised as to how it administers the death penalty. Alabama has repeatedly shown that it is not capable of carrying out executions, as it is botching its lethal injection process - amounting to cruel punishment and the torture of prisoners.

The vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Alabama has continued to go against trend by carrying on with scheduled execution dates.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop all executions in Alabama.

Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter.