"Alabama Executes Kenneth Smith Using Nitrogen Gas, Marking a New Era in Capital Punishment"

Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen hypoxia, the first known execution of its kind. Smith, convicted for his role in a contract killing over three decades ago, was pronounced dead after experiencing involuntary shaking and writhing during the process. The execution faced legal battles and criticism from human rights advocates, with the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting Smith's final request for intervention. The method's use was controversial, with concerns raised about its potential for causing pain.