The United Nations has declared that using nitrogen in an execution in Alabama may constitute torture.
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Kenneth Eugene Smith, a prisoner on death row in Alabama, was put to death using nitrogen gas, which marks the first time this method has been used in the United States.
On Thursday at 8:25pm CT, 58-year-old Smith passed away at the William C Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. He had been convicted almost 30 years ago for his involvement in the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.
The individual’s spiritual counselor, Reverend Jeff Hood, who was present during the execution, informed the media that he observed a person “fighting for their life” for a significant 22 minutes.
The White House expressed disapproval of the execution that took place on Friday. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the administration and the White House are deeply troubled by this event.
The state of Alabama maintains that the execution proceeded as planned, despite foreseeing that the untested approach would result in immediate unconsciousness and death within minutes.
However, according to witnesses, Smith seemed to be alert for a few minutes, experiencing shaking and squirming while on the gurney.
Rev Hood stated that they did not witness someone losing consciousness in 30 seconds. Instead, they witnessed someone struggling for their life for several minutes.
Smith passed away following the rejection from the US Supreme Court of a last-minute request to delay the execution. Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed disagreement with the decision, stating that the state had chosen Smith as an experimental subject by utilizing an unproven technique.
During a news briefing on Friday, Steve Marshall, the Attorney General of Alabama, announced that an additional 43 inmates on death row have opted to be executed via nitrogen hypoxia. Those who are imprisoned on death row have the option to select their preferred method of execution, which includes electrocution, lethal injection, or nitrogen hypoxia.
The official stated that he anticipates other states to adopt this approach after receiving positive feedback from its implementation. He believes that this method can be utilized by other states as well.
What did Kenneth Smith eat for his final meal?
On Thursday, Kenneth Smith’s wife and sons visited him in prison and were also present to witness his execution by nitrogen.
He had steak, eggs, and hash browns for his final meal.
Shortly before the execution, he expressed, “Tonight, Alabama is setting humanity back…Thank you all for your support. Love you.”
Afterwards, he faced his family and expressed his love by signing those three words.
Michelle Del Rey has informed:
Who was the person that Kenneth Smith victimized, Elizabeth Sennett?
Kenneth Smith brutally attacked Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in her residence in Colbert County, Alabama on March 18, 1988, resulting in her death.
She was attacked with a fireplace tool and suffered 10 stab wounds to her chest and neck. It was made to appear as though a home invasion and robbery had taken place.
Sennett was the spouse of Charles Sennett, a pastor in the Church of Christ. It is claimed that he gave $1,000 to Smith and another man to murder her. The other man, John Forrest Parker, was put to death in 2010.
According to court documents, the pastor was reportedly heavily indebted and sought to claim insurance money upon her death. However, when he became the main suspect in the investigation, he took his own life.
In 1989, Smith was found guilty of a murder-for-hire scheme and received a death penalty for the offense of capital murder. However, in 1992, the conviction was reversed on appeal.
The jury voted 11 to one to sentence him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In 1996, despite the jury’s decision, a judge overruled and sentenced Smith to death for the second time.
Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett
VIDEO: Pastor who observed the execution of Kenneth Smith describes it as a ‘terrifying spectacle’
A witness gives a description of the execution of Kenneth Smith using nitrogen gas, a historic event.
What was the reason for Kenneth Eugene Smith being on death row?
On Thursday, at a prison in Alabama, Kenneth Eugene Smith was executed using nitrogen gas, making him the first person in the world to be put to death in this manner.
However, what led to Smith’s placement on death row initially?
Why do we show more compassion towards our pets than someone on death row?
Officials in Alabama have proposed a new method of execution, which has not yet been tried, as an alternative to lethal injection and the electric chair. This method involves using pure nitrogen gas to slowly deprive the individual of oxygen until they pass away. However, Sean O’Grady questions whether this method would be considered acceptable for euthanizing a sick animal.
Please refer to Sean’s complete article here:
Why do we show more compassion towards our pets than towards a death row prisoner?
Authorities in Alabama are proposing a new method of execution – death by inhaling pure nitrogen. This untested alternative to lethal injection and the electric chair is said to be painless, as it slowly deprives the individual of oxygen until they pass away. However, some are questioning whether this method would also be used for euthanizing sick pets. Sean O’Grady explores this controversial topic.
In case you missed it: The issues of racism, horrific mistakes, and failed executions.
In the previous instance, Alabama made an effort to carry out the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, along with three other inmates on death row, within a span of 48 hours across four different states.
According to an article by Josh Marcus in support of The Independent’s End the Death Penalty campaign, the individual cases highlighted the challenges that states with capital punishment face in carrying out efficient and ethical executions.
Then, Alabama botched Smith’s execution when it failed to a suitable vein in which to deliver the lethal drugs.
On Thursday, officials at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, are scheduled to use nitrogen hypoxia to carry out his execution in the same chamber.
Please see the complete account of Josh’s journey in November 2022 below.
In case you missed it, here’s a summary of what occurred during the first ever execution using nitrogen gas in the country, as reported by an eyewitness from the Associated Press.
While being observed by five journalists through a window, Kenneth Eugene Smith suffered convulsions on a stretcher as the state of Alabama performed the first execution in the country using nitrogen gas. Smith had previously been found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.
Skeptics who were concerned about the potential cruelty and untested nature of the new method of execution were proven correct by Smith’s final moments on Thursday night. Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall, however, described it as a flawless execution on Friday.
Full report:
In case you missed it, Kenneth Smith was executed using nitrogen gas, making it the first time this method has been used on death row.
Last night at William C Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama, a 58-year-old was bound to a stretcher and equipped with a mask and breathing tube, which administered gas to gradually cut off his oxygen supply.
Full report:
Why is Kenneth Smith being refused food before his execution by nitrogen?
In preparation for his scheduled execution on Thursday, Kenneth Smith was served his final meal at 10am.
The individual is prohibited from drinking anything after 4pm, which is about two hours prior to the time of execution. Inmates in Alabama receive three meals per day.
Please access the entire article here:
The new method of execution in Alabama could pose a threat to all individuals present in the room.
Bevan Hurley reports that Kenneth Eugene Smith is set to be the initial death row prisoner to undergo execution using nitrogen. According to his pastor, this unproven method is a cruel infringement of religious freedoms.
Please click on the link to access the entire article:
Source: independent.co.uk
