The state of Alabama is set to execute a death row prisoner using a method that has never been tested before. The Supreme Court has given the green light for the execution of Kenneth Smith to proceed, despite objections from his attorneys. Smith is slated to be the first inmate in history to be put to death by nitrogen hypoxia, a method that involves inhaling pure nitrogen gas until suffocation occurs.
Smith has been on death row for over two decades for his involvement in the 1988 killing of Elizabeth Senate. The victim's husband, a pastor, had hired Smith and two others to carry out the murder. Smith's lawyers have raised concerns about the execution method, citing previous botched attempts by the state. Two years ago, an execution by lethal injection failed after four hours of failed attempts to find a suitable vein.
Critics argue that the use of nitrogen gas in executions amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, and a violation of the Eighth Amendment. The United Nations has also expressed its disapproval, labeling Smith as a test subject for an untested execution method. The concern stems from the potentially excruciating pain and the risk of complications such as choking, stroke, or being left in a vegetative state if the procedure fails.
Smith had initially requested the use of nitrogen gas but later changed his mind upon learning about the state's protocols for its administration. His primary objection revolves around the five-point mask that will be placed on his face to deliver the gas. There are legitimate fears that Smith may vomit inside the mask, leading to a painful and suffocating death. Additionally, his spiritual advisor, Reverend Jeff Hood, who will be present in the execution chamber, has voiced concerns about potential leaks in the mask, putting his own safety at risk.
Reverend Hood has further criticized the state's preparedness, highlighting the lack of an evacuation plan in case the oxygen monitors detect tainted air. He believes that the state of Alabama has consistently failed to carry out executions effectively and worries that history may repeat itself. Despite these concerns, Smith's execution is scheduled to proceed in the near future.
As the state of Alabama ventures into uncharted territory by using nitrogen gas as a means of execution, questions of ethical implications and the potential for additional pain and suffering arise. The case has attracted widespread attention and sparked a debate about the constitutionality and humaneness of capital punishment methods.
