"Controversy Surrounds Alabama's First-Ever Nitrogen Gas Execution"

Alabama inmate Kenneth Smith is set to be the first person executed by nitrogen gas, but his lawyers are appealing to a federal court to block the untested method, arguing that it could subject him to an agonizing death and violates his due process rights. The state contends that the nitrogen gas will cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. Smith's attorneys also argue that the state violated his due process rights by scheduling the execution while he has pending appeals. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office is asking the court to let the execution proceed, while Smith has also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution.