UN Experts Decry Alabama's First Execution by Nitrogen Gas as Inhumane

United Nations human rights experts have criticized Alabama's plan to execute Kenneth Smith using nitrogen hypoxia as "inhuman" and "alarming," suggesting it could result in a painful death and potentially violate the Convention against Torture. Smith was convicted in 1996 for a murder-for-hire killing and was initially sentenced to life without parole, but a judge overruled the jury's decision and sentenced him to death. Alabama's attempt to use nitrogen hypoxia, which would be the first of its kind in the U.S., has been met with legal challenges from Smith's attorney, who argues that this method is experimental and unjust.