The United States Supreme Court ruled today that Alabama inmate David Larry Nelson should be allowed to pursue appeals that lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the US Constitution. Nelson was three hours from execution before the Supreme Court granted him a stay this past fall. The Justices used Nelson's case to look at the procedure of last minute appeals. According to reports, this does not open the doors for more "method of execution" appeals. The vote was unanimous at 9-0.

Supreme Court OKs 'cruel and unusual' death penalty appeal