State’s ‘slow and agonizing’ execution of Kenneth Smith using an untested method labeled as cruel by experts and advocates

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/14097254

Smith’s execution by “nitrogen hypoxia” took around 22 minutes, according to media witnesses, who were led into a viewing room at the William C Holman correctional facility in Atmore shortly before 8 pm local time.

After the nitrogen gas began flowing, Smith convulsed on the gurney for several minutes. The state had previously said the nitrogen gas would cause Smith to lose consciousness in seconds and die within minutes, according to the Associated Press.

“I’ve been to four previous executions and I’ve never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas,” Lee Hedgepeth, a journalist who witnessed the execution, told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

  • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
    3·
    11 months ago

    This might surprise you, but I’m not obligated to continue this conversation or convince you of anything. Like I say, I’ve laid out what I think and why in other comments.

    • Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world
      12·
      11 months ago

      You have absolutely layed out what you think. And I’ve proven very easily that you’re wrong and have very poor critical thinking skills. See ya.