Alabama continued its first nitrogen gas execution as the state killed Kenneth Eugene Smith on Thursday, Jan. 25. For those who don't know who Smith was, he was convicted of first-degree murder after killing Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett.
Kenneth's death was a big deal in the United States because his execution marked the first time a new death penalty method was used in the nation.
His execution lasted for more than 20 minutes; from the time between the opening and closing of the viewing room's curtains. Now, Alabama's decision to use the nitrogen gas execution method faces condemnation as witnesses shared what they saw in the execution viewing room.
Alabama's First Nitrogen Gas Execution: What Witnesses Saw
What happened to Kenneth Eugene Smith during his nitrogen gas execution was quite different from what Alabama officials said. The criminal was fitted with a face mask as he was delivered inside the execution room.
Before he died, he was able to say "I love you" to witnesses using sign language. Aside from this, he also made a serious remark to the viewers.
He said, "Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward." According to The Associated Press, the state said that the nitrogen gas would make Kenneth unconscious in a matter of seconds once it entered his body.
Officials claimed that the nitrogen gas would lead to a peaceful death since Kenneth would already be unconscious during the process.
But, The Guardian reported that the criminal convulsed on the gurney for a few minutes. People who saw his death shared their traumatizing experiences. One of them is Lee Hedgepeth, a journalist.
"I've been to four previous executions and I've never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas," he shared.
Aside from his, Smith's spiritual adviser, Jeff Hood, was also there. he said that the man "popped up on the gurney over and over again." Hood said that Smith was even able to shake the entire gurney.
"I have never, ever seen anything like that. That was torture," added the spiritual adviser.
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Nitrogen Gas Execution Method Faces Condemnation
Witnesses and other people condemned Alabama's decision to use nitrogen gas as its new execution method. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk shared his comments on Friday, Jan. 26.
"I deeply regret the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas," he explained.
This is because it could lead to degrading, inhuman, or cruel treatment and torture.
Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner said that Kenneth convulsed because he held his breath for as long as he could. He added that they were already expecting this to happen.
However, Maya Foa, Reprieve's joint executive director, still condemned the execution method; disputing Alabama's claims that the execution was successful. She added that what happened to Kenneth was indeed an instance of torture.
"Executing states are constantly looking for ways to pretend that executions are medical and modern, not brutal and violent," explained Foa.
