Alabama Executes Man Using Nitrogen Gas in Second-Ever Use of Method
Montgomery, Alabama – In a historic execution, Alabama put inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith to deathon Thursday night using nitrogen gas, marking the second time this method has been used in the United States. Smith, 57, was convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett, a woman he had dated.
The execution, which took place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, wasmet with protests from death penalty opponents who argue the method is untested and potentially cruel. Smith’s legal team had argued that the use of nitrogen gas was unconstitutional, claiming it was untested and could cause a painful and agonizing death.However, the Alabama Supreme Court ultimately upheld the execution.
The use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution has been gaining traction in recent years as states seek alternatives to lethal injection, which has faced increasing legal challenges and difficulties in obtaining the necessarydrugs. Alabama, along with Oklahoma and Mississippi, have adopted nitrogen gas as a potential execution method.
The execution of Kenneth Smith raises questions about the ethics and efficacy of nitrogen gas as a method of execution. While proponents argue it offers a more humane alternative to lethal injection, critics remain concerned about its potential for causing pain andsuffering.
This execution is sure to fuel ongoing debate about the death penalty in the United States, with advocates on both sides highlighting their respective arguments. The future of nitrogen gas as a method of execution remains uncertain, with legal challenges and ethical concerns likely to continue.
References:
- NPR Article: Alabama puts man to death in the country’s second nitrogen gas execution
- Associated Press: Alabama Executes Man Using Nitrogen Gas, Second Time in US
- The New York Times: Alabama Executes Man With Nitrogen Gas, a Method Rarely Used
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