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Alabama carried out the first execution using nitrogen gas on January 25, 2024, sparking global criticism for its perceived inhumanity. Kenneth Eugene Smith, convicted in a murder-for-hire plot, underwent the novel execution method and struggled for 22 minutes before succumbing.
Smith gained notoriety at 22 for his role in the murder of Elizabeth Sennet. The orchestrated plot involved her husband, Charles Sennet Sr., who hired Smith to eliminate her for financial gain. Charles Sennet Sr. was tied to the murder, leading to his suicide.
Smith’s 1989 trial was overturned, but in 1996, despite a jury recommending life, a judge imposed the death penalty. Smith narrowly escaped execution in 2022 due to difficulties in finding a vein for lethal drugs. He became the first test subject for nitrogen gas, a new execution method gaining traction due to drug sourcing challenges.
In nitrogen gas executions, a mask is used to induce nitrogen hypoxia, depriving the brain of oxygen. Critics, including U.N. experts, raised concerns about potential violations of anti-torture principles. Smith’s execution lasted over 20 minutes, with reports describing it as inhumane. Despite claims of effectiveness, the event has ignited debates on the ethics and humanity of nitrogen gas executions.