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Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday asked top Alabama officials to withdraw the state’s two pending motions to set execution dates in the cases of Alan E. Miller and James E. Barber, according to Ivey’s office.

Miller and Barber are the only two death row inmates with such motions pending before the Alabama Supreme Court, according to a release. Attorney General Steve Marshall was asked by Ivey to withdraw the motions.

Working in conjunction with Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm, Ivey is asking that the department of corrections undertake a top-to-bottom review of the state’s execution process, and how to ensure the state can successfully deliver justice going forward.

“For the sake of the victims and their families, we’ve got to get this right. I don’t buy for a second the narrative being pushed by activists that these issues are the fault of the folks at corrections or anyone in law enforcement, for that matter,” Ivey said. “I believe that legal tactics and criminals hijacking the system are at play here. 

“I will commit all necessary support and resources to the Department to ensure those guilty of perpetrating the most heinous crimes in our society receive their just punishment,” she said.”I simply cannot, in good conscience, bring another victim’s family to Holman looking for justice and closure, until I am confident that we can carry out the legal sentence.”

According to a release, the governor also requested that Marshall not seek additional execution dates for any other death row inmates until the top-to-bottom review is complete.

Ivey said she appreciates the hard work of Marshall and his team to pursue justice in these cases and looks forward to receiving the input of his office, as appropriate, as the review moves forward.