Alabama Executes Kenneth Smith with Nitrogen Gas
Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith on Thursday. He was convicted of the 1996 murder-for-hire killing of Elizabeth Sennett. This was the first execution using nitrogen gas in the United States.
Smith was put to death at a prison in Atmore, Alabama. He was 58 years old. Officials pronounced him dead at 8:25 p.m. CST.
The Crime
Smith was one of two men convicted in Sennett’s death. Her husband, Charles Sennett Sr., hired them. He was deeply in debt and wanted to collect insurance money. Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself after the investigation began.
Prosecutors said Smith and the other man, John Forrest Parker, were each paid $1,000 to kill Elizabeth Sennett. Parker was executed in 2010.
Nitrogen Hypoxia
The execution used nitrogen hypoxia. This method involves forcing the inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas. This deprives the body of oxygen and causes death. This is a new execution method in the U.S. However, critics raised concerns about its safety and potential for suffering.
Smith’s Previous Execution Attempt
Alabama previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022 by lethal injection. However, the execution was halted because officials couldn’t insert the IV line. Smith challenged the state’s second attempt to execute him.
Legal Challenges
Smith’s lawyers argued that a second execution attempt was cruel and unusual punishment. They claimed it violated the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court rejected his appeals.
The execution has sparked debate about capital punishment. Some people and groups oppose the death penalty. They view it as inhumane.
Final Words
According to reports, Smith said “Tonight Alabama caused humanity to take a step backwards” before the execution began. He also reportedly said “I am leaving with love, peace and light.”
Reactions
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey stated that justice had been served. “After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his terrible crimes,” Ivey said.
In conclusion, the execution of Kenneth Smith marks a significant event in the history of capital punishment in the United States, given that it was the first to use nitrogen gas. This has ignited further debate surrounding the ethical considerations of how the U.S. government handles executions.
Source: bbc.com
