ATMORE, Ala. — After spending more than two decades on death row, contract killer and Alabama native Kenneth Smith was executed using nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday, marking the first execution of its kind. The method, referred to as “experimental” by Smith’s attorneys, was recently criticized by the United Nations. The US Supreme Court declined to stop the execution, which took place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility.
Smith’s crime dates back to 1988, when he was involved in the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, orchestrated by a Church of Christ minister, Charles Sennett. Smith was indicted for the capital murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett and later sentenced to death in separate trials. However, his conviction and death sentence were overturned in 1992 due to racial exclusion of potential jurors. He was tried again in 1996, convicted of capital murder, and ultimately sentenced to death by electrocution.
Despite multiple attempts to execute him through lethal injection, technical complications led the Alabama Department of Corrections to call off the execution in 2020. This led to Smith becoming the first inmate in U.S. history to be executed using nitrogen hypoxia on Jan. 25, 2021.
Nitrogen hypoxia is a proposed execution method that causes death by depriving the inmate of the oxygen needed to sustain bodily functions, leading to unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. Smith’s execution procedure involved strapping him to a gurney, placing a mask over his face, and administering nitrogen gas for a specified period.
During the execution, in addition to correctional officers, a Catholic priest and long-time death row minister, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, was present to provide spiritual guidance. However, due to safety protocols, Hood was required to maintain a distance from Smith, which he reluctantly agreed to in order to fulfill his calling.
The execution itself took about 22 minutes, during which Smith appeared to remain conscious for several minutes before exhibiting signs of distress. Despite the outcome, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey stated that the execution was justice, bringing closure to Elizabeth Sennett’s family after more than 30 years of seeking justice for her murder.
Smith’s execution by nitrogen hypoxia marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over the ethics of execution methods and the broader issue of capital punishment. It also serves as a reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the criminal justice system and the enduring impact of violent crimes on the victims’ families.