<p>Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years on Tuesday, using nitrogen gas to put 46-year-old Jessie Hoffman Jr to death. The execution took place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50 pm. Officials said the process lasted 19 minutes and went as planned. &nbsp;</p>
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<h2><strong>A rare execution method &nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Nitrogen gas execution, also called nitrogen hypoxia, is rare in the US This was only the fifth time the method had been used, following previous cases in Alabama. Louisiana adopted nitrogen hypoxia last year after struggling to obtain lethal injection drugs. &nbsp;</p>
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<h2><strong>Hoffman&rsquo;s case and legal battle &nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Hoffman was convicted of murdering 28-year-old Mary &ldquo;Molly&rdquo; Elliott in 1996. He was 18 at the time. His lawyers tried to stop the execution, arguing that nitrogen gas was cruel and violated his Buddhist beliefs, but the US Supreme Court refused to intervene.</p>
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<h2><strong>How the execution happened &nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Officials strapped Hoffman to a gurney and placed a full-face respirator mask on him. Pure nitrogen gas was pumped into the mask, cutting off his oxygen supply. The gas was administered until five minutes after his heart stopped. Some previous nitrogen gas executions in Alabama caused visible shaking and gasping, though officials call these involuntary reactions. &nbsp;</p>
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<h2><strong>More executions expected &nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Louisiana joins Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas in allowing nitrogen gas executions. While the number of US executions has declined in recent years, Louisiana plans to carry out at least four more this year.&nbsp;</p>

Trending | World| Nitrogen gas execution, also called nitrogen hypoxia, is rare in the US This was only the fifth time the method had been used, following previous cases in Alabama. Louisiana adopted nitrogen hypoxia last year after struggling to obtain lethal injection drugs.

Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years on Tuesday, using nitrogen gas to put 46-year-old Jessie Hoffman Jr to death. The execution took place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50 pm. Officials said the process lasted 19 minutes and went as planned. Also Read | Tiny birds mysteriously falling out of trees in Australia. 'Bleeding, disoriented, paralytic...' A rare execution method Nitrogen gas execution, also called nitrogen hypoxia, is rare in the US This was only the fifth time the method had been used, following previous cases in Alabama. Louisiana adopted nitrogen hypoxia last year after struggling to obtain lethal injection drugs. Also Read | 'Seasoned negotiator': Zelensky praises Trump, confirms to hold call with US president today Hoffman’s case and legal battle Hoffman was convicted of murdering 28-year-old Mary “Molly” Elliott in 1996. He was 18 at the time. His lawyers tried to stop the execution, arguing that nitrogen gas was cruel and violated his Buddhist beliefs, but the US Supreme Court refused to intervene. Also Read | US federal judge suspends ban on transgender people in military, says Trump ban 'soaked in animus' How the execution happened Officials strapped Hoffman to a gurney and placed a full-face respirator mask on him. Pure nitrogen gas was pumped into the mask, cutting off his oxygen supply. The gas was administered until five minutes after his heart stopped. Some previous nitrogen gas executions in Alabama caused visible shaking and gasping, though officials call these involuntary reactions. Also Read | Russia claims fire at oil depot in Krasnodar Krai caused by Ukrainian drone debris More executions expected Louisiana joins Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas in allowing nitrogen gas executions. While the number of US executions has declined in recent years, Louisiana plans to carry out at least four more this year.

Louisiana carries out state’s first nitrogen gas execution

<p>A month after carrying out the cruel execution of a man&nbsp;by nitrogen gas for the first time, the US state of Alabama is now planning to do the same on another death row inmate.</p>

<p>The first execution carried out using the controversial method was widely condemned, including by the United Nations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office on Wednesday (Feb 21) asked Alabama Supreme Court to fix an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state said that the execution of Miller, 59, will be carried out using nitrogen gas. He has been convicted of killing three people in the 1999 workplace shootings carried out in suburban Birmingham.</p>

<p>“The State of Alabama is prepared to carry out the execution of Miller’s sentence by means of nitrogen hypoxia,” wrote the attorney general’s office, adding that Miller was given the death sentence in 2000 and now is the time to carry it out.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-alabama-faces-criticism-from-world-over-cruel-nitrogen-execution-683957">US: Alabama faces international criticism for 'cruel' nitrogen execution of inmate</a></p>

<h2><strong>Alabama faces backlash for nitrogen gas execution&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The request for the execution date has been made as the activists and advocates continue presenting opposing views over the state’s first execution using nitrogen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On January 25, prison inmate Kenneth Smith convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes before dying in the death chamber filled with nitrogen gas. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Marshall said that the execution was “textbook” and added that more such death sentences were carried out by the state using nitrogen gas.</p>

<p>“As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one,” said Marshall, the next day after Smith was executed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similar to Smith, Miller had also survived a lethal injection attempt. The state had tried to execute Miller using lethal injection in September 2022.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US: Alabama, third US state to authorise use of nitrogen for execution</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-alabama-third-us-state-to-authorise-use-of-nitrogen-for-execution-682613/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The execution was cancelled after the officials failed to find an intravenous line which was connected to the prisoner’s veins.</p>

<p>After that, an agreement was struck by the state with Miller’s lawyers in which it was agreed that they would never seek to execute Miller again using lethal injection and that nitrogen gas would be used to execute him in the future.</p>

<p>Miller, who was a delivery truck driver, was convicted for carrying out fatal shootings in which Lee Holdbrooks, Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis were killed.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A month after carrying out the cruel execution of a man by nitrogen gas for the first time, the US state of Alabama is now planning to do the same on another death row inmate.

A month after carrying out the cruel execution of a man by nitrogen gas for the first time, the US state of Alabama is now planning to do the same on another death row inmate. The first execution carried out using the controversial method was widely condemned, including by the United Nations. State Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office on Wednesday (Feb 21) asked Alabama Supreme Court to fix an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller. The state said that the execution of Miller, 59, will be carried out using nitrogen gas. He has been convicted of killing three people in the 1999 workplace shootings carried out in suburban Birmingham. “The State of Alabama is prepared to carry out the execution of Miller’s sentence by means of nitrogen hypoxia,” wrote the attorney general’s office, adding that Miller was given the death sentence in 2000 and now is the time to carry it out. Also Read: US: Alabama faces international criticism for 'cruel' nitrogen execution of inmate Alabama faces backlash for nitrogen gas execution The request for the execution date has been made as the activists and advocates continue presenting opposing views over the state’s first execution using nitrogen. On January 25, prison inmate Kenneth Smith convulsed in seizure-like movements for several minutes before dying in the death chamber filled with nitrogen gas. Marshall said that the execution was “textbook” and added that more such death sentences were carried out by the state using nitrogen gas. “As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one,” said Marshall, the next day after Smith was executed. Similar to Smith, Miller had also survived a lethal injection attempt. The state had tried to execute Miller using lethal injection in September 2022. Watch: US: Alabama, third US state to authorise use of nitrogen for execution The execution was cancelled after the officials failed to find an intravenous line which was connected to the prisoner’s veins. After that, an agreement was struck by the state with Miller’s lawyers in which it was agreed that they would never seek to execute Miller again using lethal injection and that nitrogen gas would be used to execute him in the future. Miller, who was a delivery truck driver, was convicted for carrying out fatal shootings in which Lee Holdbrooks, Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis were killed. (With inputs from agencies)

Chilling death sentence: Alabama plans second execution using nitrogen gas despite backlash over first

<p>The convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first man in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas. The execution, which took place at Alabama's Holman Prison, deviated from the traditional lethal injection method and sparked condemnation from human rights activists, and the United Nations.</p>

<p>Now it has emerged that dozens of death row prisoners in Alabama may soon face the nitrogen gas route for their execution.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-alabama-makes-history-with-first-execution-using-nitrogen-gas-683713">Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Smith executed with nitrogen gas, in a first for US</a></strong></p>

<p>The 58-year-old Smith, who spent over three decades on death row for the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastor's wife, faced a 22-minute execution that drew criticism for its apparent brutality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Witnesses, including his spiritual adviser Reverend Jeff Hood, described the scene as a 'horror show'.&nbsp;Hood said that even prison staff couldn't conceal their shock at the distressing display, with audible gasps from onlookers as Smith struggled to breathe.</p>

<h2><strong>Nitrogen gas execution: Dozens of&nbsp;death row prisoners may follow the route</strong></h2>

<p>According to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, what happened with Kenneth Eugene Smith "was textbook" form of execution when done with Nitrogen gas.</p>

<p>“As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one. It’s the method that Kenneth Smith ultimately chose, along with 43 other death row inmates in our state,” Marshall was quoted as saying by CNN.</p>

<p>"I now suspect many states will follow."</p>

<p>The attorney general in a purported message to other US states, said: "Alabama has done it, and now so can you," Marshall said. "And we stand ready to assist you in implementing this method in your states."</p>

<h2><strong>US nitrogen gas execution: What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>Reverend Hood recounted the prison authorities' assurances that the nitrogen hypoxia execution would be nearly instantaneous, quick, easy, and painless.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But&nbsp;the reality unfolded quite differently. "What we saw last night was minutes, minutes, and minutes of a horror show," Hood was quoted as saying by the New York Post.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US: Alabama, third US state to authorise use of nitrogen for execution</strong></p>

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<p>Smith's contorted movements during the execution were likened to a "fish out of water, flapping over and over again," creating a lasting impact on those who witnessed the event.</p>

<p>The White House expressed deep concern over the execution, stating it was "deeply troubled" by the unfolding events.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UN human rights chief Volker Turk, the European Union, and various civil liberties groups also raised alarms about the method employed in Smith's execution, referring to it as an "untested human experiment."</p>

<p>The nitrogen hypoxia execution marks a significant departure from the conventional lethal injection method, forcing the prisoner to breathe nitrogen instead of oxygen through a respirator mask.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the bottomline?</strong></h2>

<p>The international community's condemnation suggests that the execution method will likely face further scrutiny, reigniting the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of capital punishment in the United States.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first man in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas. The execution, which took place at Alabama's Holman Prison, deviated from the traditional lethal injection method and sparked condemnation from human rights activists, and the United Nations.

The convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first man in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas. The execution, which took place at Alabama's Holman Prison, deviated from the traditional lethal injection method and sparked condemnation from human rights activists, and the United Nations. Now it has emerged that dozens of death row prisoners in Alabama may soon face the nitrogen gas route for their execution. Also read | Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Smith executed with nitrogen gas, in a first for US The 58-year-old Smith, who spent over three decades on death row for the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastor's wife, faced a 22-minute execution that drew criticism for its apparent brutality. Witnesses, including his spiritual adviser Reverend Jeff Hood, described the scene as a 'horror show'. Hood said that even prison staff couldn't conceal their shock at the distressing display, with audible gasps from onlookers as Smith struggled to breathe. Nitrogen gas execution: Dozens of death row prisoners may follow the route According to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, what happened with Kenneth Eugene Smith "was textbook" form of execution when done with Nitrogen gas. “As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one. It’s the method that Kenneth Smith ultimately chose, along with 43 other death row inmates in our state,” Marshall was quoted as saying by CNN. "I now suspect many states will follow." The attorney general in a purported message to other US states, said: "Alabama has done it, and now so can you," Marshall said. "And we stand ready to assist you in implementing this method in your states." US nitrogen gas execution: What happened? Reverend Hood recounted the prison authorities' assurances that the nitrogen hypoxia execution would be nearly instantaneous, quick, easy, and painless. But the reality unfolded quite differently. "What we saw last night was minutes, minutes, and minutes of a horror show," Hood was quoted as saying by the New York Post. Also watch | US: Alabama, third US state to authorise use of nitrogen for execution × Smith's contorted movements during the execution were likened to a "fish out of water, flapping over and over again," creating a lasting impact on those who witnessed the event. The White House expressed deep concern over the execution, stating it was "deeply troubled" by the unfolding events. UN human rights chief Volker Turk, the European Union, and various civil liberties groups also raised alarms about the method employed in Smith's execution, referring to it as an "untested human experiment." The nitrogen hypoxia execution marks a significant departure from the conventional lethal injection method, forcing the prisoner to breathe nitrogen instead of oxygen through a respirator mask. What is the bottomline? The international community's condemnation suggests that the execution method will likely face further scrutiny, reigniting the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of capital punishment in the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Alabama Nitrogen Gas execution: More states to follow lethal route for death sentence

<p>Alabama performed its first execution in the United States using nitrogen gas on Friday (Jan 26).&nbsp;Kenneth Smith, found guilty in a 1988 murder-for-hire case, was&nbsp;an unusual inmate who endured an unsuccessful execution in November 2022. Alabama authorities halted his lethal injection as they grappled for hours to properly insert the intravenous needle.</p>

<p>Alabama has described its recent procedure as "the least painful and most humane form of execution known to humanity".</p>

<h2><strong>What's the procedure?</strong></h2>

<p>Officials said&nbsp;that Kenneth Smith would&nbsp;lose consciousness within one to two minutes and pass away shortly thereafter.</p>

<p>While lethal gases like hydrogen cyanide have been employed in executions before, this marks the first instance of using an inert gas to induce suffocation in a death sentence, according to experts in capital punishment.</p>

<p>Critics of the death penalty, including human rights experts from the United Nations, argue that this method amounts to human experimentation and may result in injuring rather than killing the individual or lead to a torturous death.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Alabama to perform first nitrogen gas execution over Kenneth Smith</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alabama-to-perform-first-nitrogen-gas-execution-over-kenneth-smith-683372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Reverend Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor, expressed sorrow, highlighting the particularly horrific aspect of conducting a human experiment with legal suffocation. Hood, who was&nbsp;present during the execution, had to sign a waiver acknowledging the "unlikely" danger of succumbing to nitrogen asphyxiation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>States in the US&nbsp;employing the death penalty face increasing challenges in procuring lethal injection drugs due to pharmaceutical companies prohibiting their supply, adhering to a European ban on goods used in torture or executions.</p>

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<p>Oklahoma and Mississippi lawmakers have endorsed nitrogen-asphyxiation execution protocols, mirroring Alabama's, but have yet to implement them.</p>

<p>Kenneth Smith, convicted of murdering a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, received a life sentence recommendation from 11 out of 12 jurors.&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from agencies)</i></p>


Alabama performed its first execution in the United States using nitrogen gas on Friday (Jan 26). Kenneth Smith, found guilty in a 1988 murder-for-hire case, was an unusual inmate who endured an unsuccessful execution in November 2022.

Alabama performed its first execution in the United States using nitrogen gas on Friday (Jan 26). Kenneth Smith, found guilty in a 1988 murder-for-hire case, was an unusual inmate who endured an unsuccessful execution in November 2022. Alabama authorities halted his lethal injection as they grappled for hours to properly insert the intravenous needle. Alabama has described its recent procedure as "the least painful and most humane form of execution known to humanity". What's the procedure? Officials said that Kenneth Smith would lose consciousness within one to two minutes and pass away shortly thereafter. While lethal gases like hydrogen cyanide have been employed in executions before, this marks the first instance of using an inert gas to induce suffocation in a death sentence, according to experts in capital punishment. Critics of the death penalty, including human rights experts from the United Nations, argue that this method amounts to human experimentation and may result in injuring rather than killing the individual or lead to a torturous death. Also watch | Alabama to perform first nitrogen gas execution over Kenneth Smith Reverend Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor, expressed sorrow, highlighting the particularly horrific aspect of conducting a human experiment with legal suffocation. Hood, who was present during the execution, had to sign a waiver acknowledging the "unlikely" danger of succumbing to nitrogen asphyxiation. States in the US employing the death penalty face increasing challenges in procuring lethal injection drugs due to pharmaceutical companies prohibiting their supply, adhering to a European ban on goods used in torture or executions. Also read | US elections 2024: 'Very sharp' Donald Trump shed weight 'the hard way' Oklahoma and Mississippi lawmakers have endorsed nitrogen-asphyxiation execution protocols, mirroring Alabama's, but have yet to implement them. Kenneth Smith, convicted of murdering a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, received a life sentence recommendation from 11 out of 12 jurors. (With inputs from agencies)

Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Smith executed with nitrogen gas, in a first for US

An Alabama man is set to be the first ever person executed via a new method, nitrogen gas, on Thursday. Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was sentenced to death for his alleged role in the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett. WION tells you more about the execution process in this report.

Alabama to perform first nitrogen gas execution over Kenneth Smith