All articles tagged with #nitrogen gas execution
Originally Published 2 months ago — by The New York Times
Anthony Boyd was executed by nitrogen gas in Alabama, with witnesses describing a prolonged and distressing death, raising concerns about the method's humanity. This marks the eighth use of nitrogen hypoxia in the US, amid ongoing debates over its cruelty and efficacy as an alternative to lethal injection.
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Politico
Alabama executed Boyd for a 1993 murder using nitrogen gas, a controversial method the Supreme Court allowed despite dissenting opinions citing its unconstitutionality; Boyd maintains innocence amid ongoing debates over the method's legality and ethics.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press
Ohio's Republican attorney general, Dave Yost, is supporting a legislative effort to introduce nitrogen gas executions in the state, following Alabama's recent use of the method. The bill would give condemned inmates a choice between lethal injection and nitrogen gas, but would require executions to proceed with nitrogen gas if lethal injection drugs are unavailable. Critics have raised concerns about the method's cruelty and experimental nature, while proponents argue that it could provide closure for victims' families. The debate comes amid ongoing challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs and calls for the abolition of the death penalty in Ohio.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
Convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first man in the US to be executed with nitrogen gas, a method condemned by human rights activists, the United Nations, and the White House. Witnesses, including a priest, described the 22-minute execution as a "horror show," with Smith writhing and thrashing for several minutes, despite assurances from prison authorities that it would be quick and painless. The White House and international human rights groups expressed deep concern over the manner of the execution, which marked a departure from the usual method of lethal injection in the US.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
The first-ever execution in the United States using nitrogen gas has sparked widespread condemnation from the White House, United Nations, and European Union, with concerns raised about the method's potential for causing suffering and being considered cruel and inhuman. Kenneth Smith, a convicted murderer, was put to death in Alabama using nitrogen gas, leading to a renewed debate about capital punishment. The use of nitrogen gas for executions has drawn criticism, with calls to end the death penalty altogether.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo News
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall defends the state's first nitrogen gas execution, claiming it was "textbook," despite witnesses reporting that the inmate thrashed on the gurney and took longer than expected to become unconscious. The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, who had been on death row for over three decades, lasted roughly 30 minutes. Critics, including media witnesses and human rights experts, have raised concerns about the use of nitrogen hypoxia, while the state plans to continue using this method and assist other states interested in adopting it as an alternative to lethal injection.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Independent
Kenneth Smith became the first inmate to be executed with nitrogen gas in Alabama, thrashing and gasping for air during the 22-minute process. He was convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett in a $1,000 killing-for-hire job. Despite late appeals, the US Supreme Court declined to stop the execution. The use of nitrogen gas was the first new execution method in the US since 1982, and it was met with criticism from experts.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall defends the state's first nitrogen gas execution, claiming it was "textbook," despite witnesses reporting that the inmate thrashed on the gurney and took longer than expected to become unconscious. The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, who had been on death row for over three decades, has drawn criticism from civil rights and religious groups, with concerns raised about potential violations of human rights and the possibility of a torturous death. The use of nitrogen gas as an alternative method for executions is being considered by other states facing challenges with lethal injections.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ABC News
Alabama carried out its first nitrogen gas execution, with Attorney General Steve Marshall calling it a "proven" method despite criticism. Kenneth Smith, the inmate executed, reportedly experienced convulsions and heavy breathing for about 22 minutes before passing away, contrary to the quick and painless death state officials had described. The method, chosen by Smith himself, is expected to be used in more subsequent executions in the state, with 43 other inmates on death row opting for nitrogen hypoxia.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, marking the first American execution of its kind, but the method has not resolved the legal, moral, and technical challenges surrounding the death penalty. Witnesses reported that Smith "shook and writhed" for at least two minutes before breathing heavily, contrary to the state's claim that he would lose consciousness within seconds. Alabama's attorney general hailed the execution as a "historic" breakthrough, criticizing opponents of the death penalty for pressuring those involved in the process.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press
Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, marking the first use of this method in the U.S. since 1982. The execution, which took about 22 minutes, sparked debate over capital punishment and raised concerns about potential cruelty. Smith, convicted of a murder-for-hire killing in 1988, appeared to shake and convulse on the gurney before being pronounced dead. The European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Office expressed regret over the execution, while Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called it justice. The use of nitrogen gas as an execution method has drawn criticism and legal challenges, with some expressing alarm about its potential to violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
Alabama executes Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, GOP infighting erupts over Trump's pressure to kill a border security bill, U.N.'s top court to rule on ordering Israel to halt its Gaza offensive, Nikki Haley changes her tone on Trump, explicit deepfake photos of Taylor Swift spark outrage, concerns arise as the U.S. sells its helium stockpile, and the U.S. economy defies pessimistic expectations with 401(k) savings seeing growth.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
Alabama executed convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, marking the first use of this method in the US since lethal injection. Critics decry the method as "human experimentation," while the UN rights office urged Alabama to abandon the untested execution method. Smith's execution took about 22 minutes, during which he appeared to remain conscious for several minutes. The US top court rejected Smith's last-ditch request to intervene, and his lawyers had expressed concerns about the method's potential risks. Smith, who was on death row for over three decades, was convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastor's wife.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Independent
Kenneth Eugene Smith is set to be the first person executed with nitrogen gas after the US Supreme Court and a federal appeals court declined to stop his execution. Smith's attorneys raised concerns about the untested method, citing risks and potential for a cruel and unusual execution. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against blocking the execution, with one judge dissenting. Smith's preference for nitrogen gas stems from a botched 2022 execution attempt. If unsuccessful, Smith could become the first person executed with gas since 1999. He was convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire scheme in Colbert County, Alabama.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com
The US Supreme Court has declined to halt Alabama's plans to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, a method never before used for capital punishment. Smith, convicted of a 1989 murder, had argued that the execution would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The execution is scheduled for Thursday, but could still be delayed pending a separate case being considered by the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised concerns about the use of nitrogen gas, calling for a halt to the execution.