Alabama carried out the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, using nitrogen gas on Thursday, making it the first time a new execution method has been employed in the United States since the introduction of lethal injection in 1982.
The state asserted that the nitrogen gas method would be humane, but critics argued that it was cruel and experimental. Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask, causing oxygen deprivation. The execution reignited the debate over capital punishment in the U.S.
The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas took approximately 22 minutes, from the opening to the closing of the curtains in the viewing room. Smith seemed to remain conscious for several minutes, displaying signs of shaking and writhing against the restraints for at least two minutes.
This was followed by several minutes of heavy breathing until breathing became imperceptible. The details of the execution have raised concerns and renewed discussions about the ethical implications and humaneness of different execution methods.
As his final statement, Smith said, “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. … I’m leaving with love, peace and light.”
He made the “I love you sign” with his hands toward family members who were witnesses. “Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you,” Smith said.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey stated that the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith was deemed as justice for the murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey remarked, “After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.” She expressed hope that Elizabeth Sennett’s family could find closure after dealing with the loss for so many years.
Mike Sennett, the victim’s son, mentioned on Thursday night that Smith “had been incarcerated almost twice as long as I knew my mom.”
“Nothing happened here today is going to bring Mom back. It’s kind of a bittersweet day. We are not going to be jumping around, whooping and holler, hooray and all that,” he said. “I’ll end by saying Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.”
The state had previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn’t connect an IV line.
The execution came after a last-minute legal battle in which his attorneys contended the state was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method that could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Federal courts rejected Smith’s bid to block it, with the latest ruling coming Thursday night from the U.S. Supreme Court.
