Bending the Arc

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the life of Anthony Boyd was taken at the Homan Correction Facility in Atmore, Alabama. He was the chairman of Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty, an organization started and run by men on death row. The project has a board with members at Homan and their Executive Director, Esther Brown, is in Lanette, Alabama. They work with numerous anti-death penalty organizations throughout the state, country, and world with the goal to abolish the death penalty.

Mr. Boyd was sentenced to death for his role in a 1993 murder over a $200 drug debt. He had no significant prior criminal history and there were many problems with his case. Mr. Boyd maintained his innocence, even in his final words. Read more about Anthony’s case here: https://boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd-alabama-death-penalty/ 

Mr. Anthony Boyd was executed by nitrogen gas asphyxiation, which Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor described as “intense psychological torture” in this news report. He used his final words to proclaim his innocence and to criticize the criminal justice system. He was 54 years old.

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) has a stance against the Death Penalty. Several CSA sisters and associates write to death row inmates and offer prayers. Sister Dolores Lytle, CSA, wrote to Mr. Boyd the month before his execution. Just two weeks before his death, he wrote back to thank Sister Dolores for taking the time to write and wished to thank all the sisters for their thoughts and prayer. In his own beautiful handwriting, he described his work with Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty and asked that we share the information. They have a website and social media presence.

What was profoundly touching about Mr. Boyd’s letter was how he signed it, stating, “Again, I thank all of you for your thoughtfulness and prayers. Take Care, stay strong, remain positive and continue to be blessed… Always!”