Alabama Defends Use of Nitrogen Gas in Execution, Potential for Adoption by Other States
Officials in Alabama are standing by their decision to execute death row inmate Kenneth Smith using nitrogen gas, a method which was employed for the first time in the United States on Thursday. However, witnesses present during the execution claim that Smith appeared conscious and exhibited signs of distress for several minutes after the procedure commenced.
Responding to criticism, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall defended the execution, stating that it was 'textbook' and suggesting that other states might follow suit. Marshall asserted that the use of nitrogen gas as a means of execution is no longer untested or experimental, but rather a proven method. As a result, Alabama intends to continue executing inmates using nitrogen gas, demonstrating its commitment to the newly adopted method. It is worth noting that Mississippi and Oklahoma have recently legalized execution by nitrogen gas.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential for this method to constitute torture, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights suggesting that it could be in violation of international standards. Witnesses who were present during Smith's execution described him as writhing and gasping on the gurney for a prolonged period, which contrasts the state's prior indication that the inmate would be rendered unconscious within seconds.
When questioned about the discrepancy between the state's expectations and the eyewitness accounts, Attorney General Marshall reiterated that the execution proceeded as anticipated and expressed confidence in the method. Moreover, Marshall extended an invitation to other states to adopt nitrogen gas executions, offering Alabama's assistance in implementing the procedure.
An independent journalist, who was invited by Smith to witness his execution, contradicted Marshall's assessment of events. The journalist found the execution to be the most violent they had ever witnessed and disputed the claim that it could be considered 'textbook.' They highlighted the fact that there is no existing precedent or established guidelines for nitrogen gas executions, making it difficult to comprehend how the attorney general could refer to it as such.
Additionally, the journalist alleged a lack of transparency on the part of the Alabama Department of Corrections, noting that the mask worn by Smith had black tape covering the brand name. Efforts to obtain comment on this matter from the department are currently underway.
The crucial question arising from these developments is whether other states will follow Alabama's lead and adopt nitrogen gas as a method of execution. Although Mississippi and Oklahoma have recently legalized this procedure, Oklahoma authorities have indicated that they do not currently plan to utilize nitrogen gas due to the law's requirements. Oklahoma would only use it if they were unable to procure the necessary drugs for lethal injection or if lethal injection was deemed unconstitutional.
As the debate surrounding execution methods continues, the use of nitrogen gas raises concerns about its effectiveness and its compliance with international human rights standards. The future adoption of this method by other states remains uncertain, pending further examination and evaluation.
