Louisiana plans to carry out its first execution in 15 years using the highly contested nitrogen gasgging laws that do not even allow it to be used on dying cats and dogs under state law.
Convicted murderer Jesse Hoffman, 46, was originally scheduled to be executed in a controversial manner on Tuesday night, but that could change depending on the outcome of a scheduled morning hearing. He was sentenced to death in 1996 for rape and murder of advertising executive Mary Elliott.
Nitrogen gas deaths were previously only used in Alabama. In recent years, witnesses to four recorded gasting executions in the state reported seeing the accused man dressed in gurneys as he was still consciously forced to inhale anything other than nitrogen.
Nitrogen gas promotes hypoxia, which robs the body of oxygen and leads to slow suffocation. It is a broad, frowned method of execution. So the state legislators decided it was inhumane to place pets like that. Under Louisiana law, nitrogen gasting is prohibited for euthanasia in cats and dogs. American Veterinary Medical Association's verdict.
Most recently, Kenneth Eugene Smith fell into gas in late January after surviving a fatal injection attempt two years ago. The process took 22 minutes as he constantly slammed into restraint while he slowly choked to death.
Proponents of the death penalty continue to try and stop Hoffman's execution.
He was given a temporary reprieve by a federal judge, but was overturned by the Fifth Circuit last Friday.
Since the new year, atypical means of implementation have increased. Following Smith's gasting in late January, South Carolina led the country's first death team for the first time in 15 years.
Brad Sigmon chose to be spontaneously shot dead in more traditional ways, such as an electric chair or a fatal injection. He was found guilty in 2002 after the parents of his ex-girlfriend died from a baseball bat.
Before his death, Sigmon quoted four verses from the Bible, concluded that “the New Testament God gives no one the authority to kill another.”
