In a historic move, the United States executed a convicted murderer, Kenneth Smith, using nitrogen gas in the state of Alabama. The state claimed that this method was “the most painless and humane” form of execution.
Kenneth Smith, who had been convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, had previously survived a halted execution attempt in November 2022 when officials struggled to insert an intravenous line during a lethal injection.
During Smith’s final execution on Thursday, he was restrained on a gurney, and a commercial industrial safety respirator mask was strapped to his face. A canister of pure nitrogen, which deprived him of oxygen once activated, was attached to the mask. The execution began at 7:53 p.m., and Smith was declared dead at 8:25 p.m., according to prison officials.
Five journalists were allowed to witness the execution through glass, reporting that Smith appeared to remain conscious for several minutes after the nitrogen was initiated. He experienced shaking and writhing for about two minutes, followed by deep breathing for several minutes until his breathing slowed and became imperceptible.
Alabama officials had anticipated that Smith would be rendered unconscious in under a minute, dying shortly afterward. The Alabama Corrections Commissioner, John Hamm, explained that Smith’s movements were expected and characterized them as involuntary.
Before the nitrogen was activated, Smith made a lengthy final statement, criticizing the use of this execution method: “Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward.” He expressed love and peace toward his wife and relatives, gesturing to them during his statement.
