As witnesses looked on, Kenneth Eugene Smith convulsed on a gurney as Alabama carried out the nation’s first execution using nitrogen gas. The execution, which took place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, has sparked a debate over the humaneness of this new method. Critics who had raised concerns about its potential cruelty and experimentation claimed that Smith’s final moments only validated their fears. However, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall deemed it a textbook execution. Let’s take a closer look at how the events unfolded.
At 7:53 p.m., the curtains between the viewing room and the execution chamber opened, revealing Smith already strapped to the gurney and covered with a white sheet. He wore a tan prison uniform and a blue-rimmed respirator mask that covered his face. The mask featured a clear shield and plastic tubing that connected to the adjoining control room.
The prison warden entered the chamber and read the death warrant, allowing Smith a chance to share any final words. Smith used the opportunity to express his disappointment, saying, Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. He then gestured an I love you sign to his family members present in the room. The execution was divided into separate viewing rooms, with the Sennett family observing from one and members of the media, as well as Smith’s attorney, from another.
At 7:56 p.m., Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall gave the go-ahead for the execution to commence. A corrections officer approached Smith to check the mask before it began. Smith’s spiritual advisor, Rev. Jeff Hood, stepped toward him, touched his leg, and appeared to pray. It is important to note that Hood had to sign a waiver agreeing to stay three feet away from Smith’s gas mask to ensure safety.
Smith’s distress soon became apparent, as he started shaking and thrashing violently at around 7:58 p.m. These seizure-like movements caused the gurney to visibly move, and Smith’s arms pulled against the restraints. He even lifted his head off the gurney before falling back down. The shaking continued for at least two minutes, with Hood repeatedly making the sign of the cross towards Smith, and Smith’s wife crying out in anguish.
Around 8:08 p.m., Smith began taking deep gasping breaths, with his chest noticeably rising. However, by 8:15 p.m., the curtains to the viewing room were closed, signaling the end of the execution. According to Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm, the nitrogen gas flowed for approximately 15 minutes. The exact timing of when the gas began and when Smith’s heart stopped beating has not been disclosed by the state attorney general’s office. Smith was officially pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.
The use of nitrogen gas for executions has ignited a national debate, putting the United States at the forefront of the death penalty discussion. Critics argue that this method can cause inhumane suffering and question its effectiveness. Meanwhile, proponents believe that nitrogen hypoxia provides a more humane alternative to traditional execution methods, such as lethal injection.
As this historic execution unfolded, it underscored the ongoing ethical and legal considerations surrounding capital punishment in America. The nation’s first nitrogen gas execution has reignited the debate about the extent to which society should employ the ultimate punishment, and whether this new method meets the standards of human decency.
