Summary
This document is a dissenting opinion by Justice Gorsuch regarding the denial of a stay of execution for a Louisiana death row inmate. The petitioner claims that nitrogen hypoxia execution violates his religious rights under RLUIPA by preventing meditative breathing. Justice Gorsuch contends that lower courts improperly assessed his religious beliefs and failed to address his statutory claim, recommending that the case be remanded for proper review.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the method of execution by nitrogen hypoxia substantially burdens the plaintiff's religious exercise in violation of RLUIPA.
- Whether the Supreme Court should grant a stay of execution pending resolution of the RLUIPA claim.
Holdings
- The Court denied the application for a stay of execution.
Factual background
Jessie Hoffman, a Buddhist sentenced to death, challenged the state's planned method of execution by nitrogen hypoxia, arguing it substantially burdens his religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Procedural history
The district court rejected Hoffman's RLUIPA claim; the Fifth Circuit affirmed without addressing the claim; the Supreme Court denied the application for a stay of execution.