ATMORE, Alabama – The execution of Alabama prisoner, Kenneth Eugene Smith, using nitrogen gas took an unexpectedly long 22 minutes, despite assurances from the state that it would be quick and painless. Witnesses reported that Smith shook and writhed for two minutes as his mask filled up with gas, and then remained conscious, breathing heavily and gasping for an additional eight minutes. His sons and wife were present, with his final words expressing gratitude and love.
Smith, 58, was not pronounced dead until 8:25 pm, following the administration of the gas. Alabama’s attorney general, Steve Marshall, defended the execution, claiming that it had “proved” nitrogen gas to be an effective and humane method of execution. The US Supreme Court denied Smith a last-minute reprieve, with state lawyers insisting that the process would result in unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.
However, Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed strong disagreement, stating that Alabama had turned Smith into a “guinea pig” for testing a new method of execution. The lengthy process of Smith’s death drew criticism and raised questions about the use of nitrogen gas as an execution method. The incident has sparked discussions about the ethics and effectiveness of different execution methods, with some advocating for the abolition of the death penalty altogether.
The execution has reignited the debate on the morality of the death penalty and the responsibility of the state in carrying out executions. Critics argue that the prolonged and seemingly painful nature of Smith’s execution highlights the inhumanity of the death penalty, raising concerns about potential violations of the constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The controversy surrounding Smith’s execution has reopened the larger conversation on the use of capital punishment in the United States, pushing the public and lawmakers to reexamine the policies and procedures surrounding executions.