It is performed by nitrogen inhalation. Kenneth Smith died at 20.25 local time in Alabama and at 03.25 in the morning, January 26, in Italy. He has been on death row since 1996 and was the first inmate in the United States and the world to be executed by nitrogen, according to a Death Penalty Information Center report.
Kenneth Smith’s Last Words: “I Love You All”
Kenneth Smith said a few words before putting on his mask and inhaling nitrogen: “Tonight, Alabama is taking humanity one step back. I leave with love, peace and light, I love you. Thank you for supporting me, I love you.” All”. Smith then made a heart sign with his left hand as the guard read him the execution order. He continued to make hand gestures and offer expressions of affection to the family standing behind the glass. The curtains were closed at 8.15pm. Ten minutes later, Smith was pronounced dead. Smith was pronounced dead. In addition to his family and friends, five journalists were also present.
The procedure, originally scheduled for 18:00 local time, was postponed for more than an hour pending the final decision of the Supreme Court, where another appeal was made to stay the conviction. The court rejected the request. In recent days, Smith received nine visitors and spoke to his wife on the phone both days. On Wednesday he refused breakfast and did not eat lunch, limiting himself to eating part of the dinner. On Thursday he accepted breakfast and a final meal of steak, chips and eggs. Then execution.
Smith was executed twice
Smith was sentenced to death in 1989 for contract murder the previous year. Smith was in his early 20s and, along with an accomplice, stabbed to death 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett, a preacher’s wife. Smith pocketed nearly a thousand dollars for this crime. The instigator, a pastor of the Church of Christ, committed suicide a week later. A year later, jurors sentenced him to life in prison, but the judge commuted the sentence to death.
In reality, Smith was subjected to lethal injection on November 17, 2022, but survived amid excruciating pain because execution workers found the right vein to complete the task. Smith has since shown symptoms related to the trauma from the experience: insomnia, distress, and depression. Civil rights activist organizations called for a halt to the second execution, saying it was “cruel”, but all objections were rejected.
“Using nitrogen is treating people like worms”
The State of Alabama has called the use of pure nitrogen the “least painful and most humane method.” The governor’s office confirmed the death but did not say whether Smith was in pain.
“Using nitrogen for an important execution is treating a man like a woodworm because it’s the same process used to eliminate the parasite on wooden furniture when deprived of oxygen. I personally don’t think it’s the right choice. It’s not a bug,” they all say‘Adnkronos Health Antonio Sapone, Forensic expert from Rome. So what is behind the choice of this method? Is it more effective than others or is there an economic problem? “It is effective,” replies the medical doctor. Nitrogen is not toxic, but it deprives the brain, a much more sensitive organ than others, of oxygen. Thus, the organ’s metabolism stops rapidly and death occurs.”
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
