Alabama inmate becomes first in U.S. to be executed with nitrogen gas

Alabama on Thursday became the first state to use nitrogen gas to execute a death row inmate.

Kenneth Smith was executed by nitrogen hypoxia at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, becoming the first executioner in the United States to be executed using an untested method.

Smith was executed in 1988 for his role in the murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Sennett.

Alabama Department of Corrections Secretary Jon Hamm told reporters during a speech. Press conference It was noted late Thursday night that the state began executions at 7:53 p.m. Central time. Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. CT.

He noted that nitrogen gas was flowing for about 15 minutes during the execution.

Witnesses told Poole Media that Smith trembled for at least two minutes after the execution began and appeared conscious for several minutes. Hamm said Smith initially held his breath and his movements were involuntary, an expected fatal side effect of nitrogen gas based on research. He also claimed he did not realize Smith remained conscious.

“There was nothing unusual about what we expected,” Hamm said in response to the claims.

Pool Media witnesses reported that Smith's last words were, “Alabama took humanity a step back tonight.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall praised the execution, saying “justice was served.”

“Tonight, Kenneth Smith was put to death for a heinous act he committed more than 35 years ago, an innocent woman who was by all accounts a godly wife, loving mother, and grandmother. , allegedly hired to kill Elizabeth Sennett, a beloved pillar of her community,” he said in a written statement.

The victim's family told a news conference that it had been a “bittersweet day” but that Mr Sennett had been given “justice”.

The death penalty was carried out immediately after the Supreme Court refused to suspend the execution.