Alabama has carried out the first-ever US execution using nitrogen gas, putting to death convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith.
Smith, 58, lost his final appeals to both the Supreme Court and a federal appeals court, claiming the execution was cruel and unusual.
Previously, in 2022, attempts to execute Smith by lethal injection had failed.
He was convicted in 1989 for the murder of the preacher’s wife Elizabeth Sennett in a killing-for-hire.
Smith’s execution by nitrogen gas marks a significant departure from traditional methods.
Alabama and two other states adopted nitrogen hypoxia due to difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs, contributing to a decline in the use of the death penalty nationwide.
Witnesses, including members of the media, observed Smith’s execution at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Following the initiation of nitrogen gas, Smith reportedly smiled, nodded toward his family, and signed “I love you.”
The process involved moments of writhing and heavy breathing before he was pronounced dead.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey confirmed Smith’s death, stating, “After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.”
Attorney General Steve Marshall deemed nitrogen gas execution an “effective and humane method,” rejecting the predictions of activists and the media.
The corrections commissioner explained that Smith’s movements were expected, emphasizing that nothing abnormal occurred during the execution.
Alabama had anticipated Smith losing consciousness within seconds and dying within minutes.
Smith’s conviction stemmed from his involvement in the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett.
The victim’s husband orchestrated the killing-for-hire scheme, resulting in Smith and another hitman, John Forrest Parker, carrying out the murder.
Parker was executed in 2010.
Smith’s legal team expressed deep sadness, highlighting the jury’s vote to spare his life overridden by a judge.
The victim’s son, Charles Sennett Jr, expressed little sympathy for Smith, emphasizing the brutal nature of the crime.
Medical professionals had criticized the nitrogen execution, warning of potential catastrophic mishaps.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights urged a halt to the execution, citing concerns about possible violations of international human rights law.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized Alabama’s choice to use Smith as a “guinea pig” for an untested execution method, stating, “The world is watching.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to proceed came after rejecting another challenge by Smith a day earlier.