Nitrogen Hypoxia: US inmate refuses to become first 'subject' of new execution method

A prisoner on death row in Alabama is opposing plans to execute him using a new method involving nitrogen gas. This method, called nitrogen hypoxia, brings about death by making the prisoner breathe in only nitrogen, which keeps them from getting any oxygen.

Authorities in Alabama are aiming to execute Kenneth Smith using this method, but his legal representatives argue that he shouldn’t be used as a “guinea pig” for this untested procedure. Smith’s lawyers claim that the state hasn’t provided sufficient details about how nitrogen executions would be carried out.

Nitrogen hypoxia has been given the green light for use in three US states, but it has yet to be used in an actual execution. Nitrogen is a gas that makes up 78% of the air we breathe, and it’s harmless when breathed in alongside the right amount of oxygen. During the execution, a mask would be placed over the inmate’s face, and their supply of air would be replaced with nitrogen until their heart stops.

Supporters of this new method argue that it would be painless, but opponents liken it to conducting experiments on humans. Trip Pittman, a former senator from Alabama who introduced this new execution method, disputes the criticism that it’s an experiment. He points out that although no state has used nitrogen for executions, there have been instances where people have died from breathing nitrogen in industrial accidents and suicide attempts, so its effects are known.

Smith’s legal team revealed that he had already experienced one failed execution attempt in November when the state attempted lethal injection. This attempt had to be halted because the execution team couldn’t establish the two necessary IV lines.

They argue that Smith is currently pursuing ongoing appeals and accuse the state of attempting to expedite his execution ahead of other inmates in order to bypass his lawsuit challenging lethal injection procedures.

Smith was found guilty in 1988 of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot to kill Elizabeth Sennett. Prosecutors claim that Smith, along with another man, was paid $1,000 each to carry out the murder on behalf of Mrs. Sennett’s husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on her insurance policy.