For the first time in US history, a prisoner was executed using pure nitrogen.
This method of carrying out the death penalty has been recorded in Alabama.
The general public was notified of this by the state’s Attorney General, Steve Marshall.
Time of death
58-year-old Kenneth Smith, who in 1988 was found guilty by a court of contract killing of a woman, was executed – TASS.
They took the life of a prisoner in the city of Atmore by nitrogen asphyxiation.
Justice has prevailed. Smith was executed tonight for the heinous act he committed, the top local prosecutor said.
He said, like most states, Alabama believes that some crimes are “so heinous” that they warrant capital punishment.
Marshall gave the go-ahead for the execution at 19:56 (04:56 on January 26, Belarusian time).
It is reported that death occurred at 20:25 (05:25 Minsk time).
After more than 30 years of trying to defraud the system, Smith was held accountable for his horrific crimes, according to Gov. Kay Ivey.
Smith’s last words
American media write that before his execution, Smith gave a short speech in which, among other things, he stated the following:
Alabama forces humanity to take a step back tonight.
Previously, it was reported that nitrogen was used as a method of killing in Alabama due to the physiological characteristics of the prisoner.
In November 2022, they tried to execute him by standard lethal injection, but they could not find a suitable vein in Smith to insert a needle.
How did the execution go?
As for the current execution, the prisoner was immobilized, then a mask was put on him, through which pure nitrogen was released.
According to media reports, execution with pure nitrogen has been allowed in Alabama since 2018 due to a shortage of drugs used for lethal injections.
Also, this method of killing those sentenced to death is permitted in Mississippi and Oklahoma, but it has not yet been used in these states.
Smith’s lawyers previously became aware of a similar punishment for their client.
